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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

McDonaghs win Killarney's feature

Fri 20th Aug 2021, 17:58

Wouldn't You Agree (far side) with VisionarianWouldn't You Agree (far side) with Visionarian
© Photo Healy Racing

Wouldn't You Agree credited father and son, owner and jockey Mark and Mark McDonagh with a big-race win today, landing Killarney's featured Grade B Rentokil Initial Handicap Hurdle for trainer Eoin Griffin.

The son of Fame And Glory chased the leaders on the inside and while short of room when wandering around approaching the third-last flight, soon nipped through to challenge and eventually battling to a half-length win over Visionarian

Winning trainer Griffin later reported “myself and Mark (McDonagh, jockey) had a chat earlier, we had both walked the track and there was a strip on the inner and told Mark to stick around there. He got in trouble around the bottom bend but did it to perfection.

“I fancied him coming if he got his ground, and he battled well. Driving down it was raining solid from Waterford and I thought our chance was gone so was surprised how good the ground was when I walked it.

“I was confident he'd leave the Galway run behind him as he didn't handle the track. We'll stick left-handed and he'll rock on to the Listowel Hurdle now — he has course form there.

“Mark's parents are here today and that's important and is great to see. You'd like to see more of a crowd but we'll get there eventually.”

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.