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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Vital Island wins Ladies Cup

Tue 26th Apr 2022, 19:47

Vital Island (left) with Good Bye SamVital Island (left) with Good Bye Sam
© Photo Healy Racing

Course regular Vital Island (7/2) gained a first win over Punchestown's banks today, improving on last year's runner-up placing to land the Kildare Hunt Club Chase Ladies Cup for trainer Richie O'Keeffe and jockey Benny Walsh.

Walsh steered Singing Banjo to beat Vital Island in last year's renewal of the race and today, on Vital Island's 11th run over the banks' course, raced prominently throughout before beating 7/4 favourite Good Bye Sam by half a length.

Wexford based O'Keeffe later said “he loves it around here, he's been second a few times but he did the job today. He loves the banks.

“He's been a great old horse and has won four down in Lingstown for me, he knows his job. We'll see what way he is but he might run again on Thursday (in the La Touche).”

Quotes from Gary Carson

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.