18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Barry O'Neill completes double on The Big Doyen

The Big Doyen and Barry O'Neill get the better of Ballyglass The Big Doyen and Barry O'Neill get the better of Ballyglass
© Photo Healy Racing

There were several significant non-runners in the Knockcroghery Flat Race and The Big Doyen (3/1) took full advantage as he completed a 9.5/1 double for Barry O’Neill.

O’Neill, who was successful earlier on De Lady In Red bided his time in mid-division on his strong-travelling mount who appeared to jump a shadow shortly after turning into the home straight for the final time.

He was quickly back on an even keel and soon challenged the 15/8 favourite Ballyglass

The scopey bay, from the family of smart chasers Take The Stand and Sheltering, forged clear in the final furlong to beat the market leader by a length and a half, with the front two clear of the remainder.

Winning trainer Peter Fahey said: “He's a nice horse. He does everything fairly right at home.

“Hopefully he got away with that ground today as he's definitely a horse that will go with a bit of ease in the ground.

“We won't over-face him, we'll probably give him a little bit of time and go for a winners bumper in a few months time. We'll keep him to bumpers for the minute.

“He's bred by Padraic Ryan who has a good few horses in the yard. This (Money For Jam) syndicate bought him and hopefully he'll be a nice horse in time.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.