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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

O'Neill ends barren spell

Sat 13th Oct 2012, 15:52

Acriveen (Adam O'Neill) throws a fine leap at the lastAcriveen (Adam O'Neill) throws a fine leap at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Adam O’Neill bridged a near five year gap without a winner when partnering rank outsider Acriveen to a shock 25/1 success in the two-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The 7lb claimer was recording his sixth career victory as the ten-year-old gelding led between the final two flights and stayed on gamely to beat First Impressions (14/1) by a length.

Top-weight El Fontan (13/2) held every chance another neck back in third, with Tin Town Boy (8/1) completing the placings in fourth.

This was the Accordion gelding’s 22nd start, and his only previous win also came at this venue in a handicap hurdle (2m4f) three and a half years ago.

Winning trainer John Berry said, “We’ve been a long time waiting on that. He had ability as a young horse but has had problems. He ran brutal the last day and we don’t know why.

“He’s my own so he’s paid for his oats! I also had him entered at Limerick over 2m6f tomorrow and the trip would probably have suited him better but I decided to go to the track that he’d won at before and take a chance.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.