Tomcoole Lad and Mark Enright© Photo Healy Racing
For a thirteen-year-old Tomcoole Lad put up a fair performance to eclipse his rivals in the Corrib Food Products Handicap Chase at Galway.
Trained by Dick Donohoe and ridden by Mark Enright, the veteran, now twice a winner of this event, having taken it back in 2015, ran his rivals ragged from the front.
In the end he had no less than twenty two lengths in hand over Buzzkillbob
"At his age you wouldn't think he'd do that but he absolutely loved it and jumped from fence to fence all the way and handled the ground better than anything else," said Donohoe.
"He had run alright at Downpatrick the last couple of days but was well beaten ultimately. Two years ago he won this race in similar fashion as an 11 year old.
"You wouldn't know what he'd do (the handicapper) but he'll hardly be too hard on him. No matter what he gives him he'll still be in the 0-102 category!"
D.F. O'Regan, rider of Aranhill Rascal trained by S.J.Mahon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was brought to a stop after the last.
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Germany John trained by S.J.Mahon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and was pulled up thereafter.
B.J. Cooper, rider of Old Time Melody trained by Thomas Cooper, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was badly hampered and pulled up thereafter.
Rachael Blackmore, rider of Wilde 'N Wide trained by A.J. McNamara, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the fourth last.
J.M. Moore, rider of Dont Stop trained by Peter Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount had burst a blood vessel.
Subsequently Dont Stop was examined by the Turf Club Veterinary officer at the request of the Stewards, who reported that the animal was found to have blood at the nose following exercised induced pulmonary haemorrhage.
(TW & EM)
