McGuinness off the mark for Mullins in the McManus silks A week that started with a third placing aboard Closutton's A Penny A Hundred in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe on Monday, ended on a high for Anna McGuinness as she landed the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle in Kilbeggan on I Am River. Favourite I Am River (15/8) had market rival Keep Kool Coko beaten off approaching the straight, but a new threat soon emerged in the shape of In The Trenches. In the J P McManus silks McGuinness wasn't flustered though, and she got enough out of Willie Mullins' winner on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths. It was a third winner for the promising conditional, a native of Coalisland County Tyrone McManus racing manager Frank Berry said afterwards: “He’s had his problems, but he jumped great and got a lovely ride from Anna. She got him into a lovely rhythm, and you’d be delighted with him. “Anna is riding out in Willie’s and finished third (on A Penny A Hundred) in the Mayo National and couldn’t have done better. “We’ll tip away for the summer with him and see where we go.” J. Coen, rider of Western Note, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly. (AM & EM)
