Jockey Paul Carberry moved onto the 50 winner mark at Cork today where the Co. Meath rider completed a double and joined Barry Geraghty at the head of the Jockeys' Championship.
Carberry opened his account on Frank Ennis' Rupununi, who completed a hat-trick of wins in the two mile novice hurdle. Afterwards Ennis reported 'he has a very high cruising but idles in front.' He added 'after his last win at Tipperary Paul (Carberry) said he'd win another hurdle. He said the same again now but I want to send him chasing as soon as possible. He could make a top two mile chaser.'
Carberry completed his brace when partnering Noel Meade's Good Vintage to a three and a half length success in the 2m6f handicap chase.
Michael Hourigan ended a frustrating winnerless spell of one month when his Spin In The Wind won the two mile handicap hurdle. Timmy Murphy brought his mount with a well timed challenge to lead at the final flight before winning by two lengths from Wise Words.
Philip Rothwells' Loughanelteen (2/1) caused a minor upset in the opening two mile maiden hurdle with beaten favourite Oyez (8/11) finishing two and a half lengths after jumping badly left throughout.
Rothwell later stated 'Alan (Donoghue) has done all of the schooling with the horse and gave the horse a fine ride here. We think a lot of this horse and we will now go to the Cheltenham meeting in November with him.'
Another horse bound for the Cheltenham November Festival is Broadstone Road who followed up his Listowel success with another win for jockey Danny Howard and trainer Paul Gilligan in the Pierce Rivervalley EBF Novice Chase.
Pat Doyle's Pro Dancer, racing in his first handicap chase, battled well to win the two mile handicap chase under Davy Russell. Runner-up King Carew, making his chasing reappearance after a heavy fall at the Galway Festival, assumed his customary front running style but was headed after the last by Pro Dancer who scored by two and a half lengths.
John Kiely's newcomer Beauchamp Gigi received a well judged ride from Derek O'Connor to land the concluding bumper.
Thomas Weekes.
