Baidin & Gallagher follow up on Cork success Baidin Fheilimi followed up on her win at Cork last Sunday, as she took the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under Pierce Gallagher for trainer/owner/breeder Patrick Cronin. The chestnut, seven-year-old daughter of Snurge sprang a 16/1 surprise last weekend, but she went off at just 11/2 this afternoon (was 7/2 this morning), to defy the eight pound hike in the ratings. Having raced in mid-division, she closed on the leaders approaching the straight, travelling strongly. She disputed the lead at the third last with Ballfinboy and Shantalla, and the trio had a great battle from there, with Baidin Fheilimi just gaining the upper hand close home, scoring by half a length at the line. Shantalla ran a cracker to finish second at 20/1 under Brian Cawley for Donnie Hassett, while Ballyfinboy, who was sent off the 3/1 favourite, was three parts of a length back in third under Tim Carroll for John Finn. The front three went seventeenth lengths clear of the fourth, that was Valours Minion at 14/1 under Declan Lavery for Val O’Brien. Patrick Cronin, who trains in Doneraile, Co Cork, said afterwards: "It is unbelievable to win two races in a week, and if she is ok after this the obvious race to go for is the mares handicap hurdle at Listowel. "Pierce gave her a great ride, he is probably the best five pound claimer in the country." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
