A crowd of over 6,000 watched 21 year old Sean Flanagan complete a 32-1 double at Gowran yesterday, parterning Carnbridge (9-2) and Whinstone Boy (12-1 into 5-1) to victory on what is the busiest days racing of the year at the Kilkenny venue. 2003 Aintree Grand National winning Trainer, Jimmy Mangan trained Whinstone Boy to success in the Thyestes chase and emulated an earlier victory in the same race in 1981. Mangan was overjoyed following the race, it could have all been so different as he had initially planned to run the Supreme Leader Gelding in the Galmoy Hurdle.
Jockey Flanagan (pictured above) held off the late charge of Hangover to win the €58,600 first prize by 1 1/2 lengths. Racing off a featherweight 9-11, Whinstone Boy made virtually all the running and led at the last. Michael O' Learys Hangover and Siegemaster finished second and third respectively.
Yesterday was also successful day for the locally trained War of Attrition who beat the very useful Powerstation and Oscar Dan Dan in the 3 mile Galmoy hurdle, Kilkenny-based Mouse Morris, trainer of the 11 year old 2006 Gold Cup winner stated that he was entered in the World Hurdle (33-1) and will be retired following the Aintree Grand National, where he currently quoted at 20-1.
As expected, Secant Star made amends for his last-hurdle exit last time out by scoring a bloodless victory in the opening maiden hurdle. The 2-5 favourite coasted to victory by 7 lengths under Ruby Walsh, the Triumph Hurdle will now be seriously considered by trainer Willie Mullins who stated "we will be stepping him up to a Graded race somewhere next month".
8-13 favourite Paul Kristian, pictured below also won easily in the boggy conditions for father-son combination of Paddy and Willie Mullins in the closing bumper
Tony McCoy (below) was luckless as he was unseated aboard Arbor Supreme in the big race.
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