The racing silks of Senator JJ Parkinson are not as familiar a sight on racecourses as they were when the legendary trainer was setting records, but the silks were carried to success at Clonmel today, on Incidential in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
Well known in the 1930s, the colours have been re-registered in Parkinson's grandson James' name and were worn to success today by Barry Geraghty, on board the Jessica Harrington trained winner.
Incidential tracked the leaders before progressing to dispute the lead from before the second last.
Geraghty gave the winner a strong drive from before the last and stayed on well for a neck win over Yabbits.
Afterwards Harrington reported 'we had been waiting for good ground and might try to win another hurdle before being sent chasing.'
Absent trainer Jim Bolger and his stable jockey Kevin Manning recorded a 40/1 double, opening their accounts with handicap debutante Boston Public, fresh from three quick maiden runs, in the Cahir Handicap.
The winner raced in mid division before making steady progress to lead close home, eventually winning by the narrowest of margins over The Last Stand.
Bolger and Manning were again on the mark in the next, the Knockmealdown Handicap, when Twilight Breeze justified 11/4 favouritism to defeat Like A Dream by a length and a half.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden went to Dermot Weld's Sweet Firebird who transferred some good placed form into a win, having been backed from 4/6 into 4/9.
The winning daughter of Sadler's Wells tracked leader Sogno Verde before striking the a furlong out, staying on for a comfortable two and a half length success.
Weld was absent but Smullen did mention 'she was entitled to win that and the blinkers helped her concentrate a bit more although she is very honest. She'll probably go for some more black-type again now.'
Lemon Cello, a seventh winner for jockey James Sullivan, proved a shock 20/1 winner of the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.
Winning trainer Seamus Faheyn later explained 'she couldn't handle the heavy ground last time at Limerick but I thought she had an each-way chance today.'
Tom Mullins' Stick The Lowman was dealt a late blow by Pat Fahy's Tareis An Phunt who denied the Mullins gelding by a head, close home in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase.
Tareis An Phunt tracked the leaders under Sean McDermott before progressing under a strong ride to lead close home, for a head win.
