Ballyspellan scores for Gannon & Mangan Ballyspellan Lad sprang a 12/1 surprise, as he took the Joe Cooney Memorial Handicap Hurdle, under Paddy Mangan for trainer Michelle Gannon. Funnily enough, the eight-year-old son of Rudimentary, jumped a fence when Mangan was attempting to pull him up after a false start. That obviously gave him a confidence boost, as he jumped the smaller obstacles well throughout, hitting the front after the second last, and going on from there to score by five lengths. Formal Bid kept on well to take second at 12/1 under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott, while Roisin Dubh finished four and a half lengths back in third under Davy Russell for Philip Byrne at 13/2 (opened at 8/1 on-course). With the defection of Lancing (coughing), Princess Salome went off the well-backed 7/2 favourite (opened at 5/1) for Muredach Kelly and Robbie Colgan. She faded after the second last and trail home in thirteenth. Paddy Mangan commented on the incident at the start, saying: “He wasn’t inclined to go around the fence.” He added: “I got a lovely clear run in the race. He had a great chance at Roscommon two runs ago, but he just lost his footing at the back of a hurdle (fell when still leading at the second last). “Watch out for him when he goes for a beginners chase!" Michelle Gannon, who's address is, Ballyspellan, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny commented: "He’s got a plenty of ability. He is fairly quirky and there is not many jockeys that get on with him, but Paddy Mangan and John Cullen are two that do. "He put my husband Tony in Hospital a few weeks before our wedding. He buried him out on the gallops." After the race, the Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Wells China, who finished ninth, was lame post race. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
