Barrys Jack and John Fitzpatrick are nicely ahead from Supreme Steel© Photo Healy Racing
Formerly owned by Pat Coffey, Lough Derg Spirit looks promising now cross-channel with Nicky Henderson. Today in the training role the Nenagh dairy farmer landed the spoils with Barrys Jack in the Parkway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle at Limerick.
Coffey also owns 22/1 shot Barrys Jack, and in the hands of 7Ib claimer John Fitzpatrick, he got home by two and three parts of a length and half a length from Supreme Steel and favourite, Returntovendor
"He failed to win until now but is a good horse and jumps brilliant and seemed to handle the ground better than any of them. I ran two horses earlier this week and they were a disgrace!" said Coffey.
"It's fantastic and it's my first winner here and I'm based nearby in Nenagh. He'll be sold if somebody will buy him off me and I've also had two or three point to point winners in the autumn and this is my second Irish winner although I had a double in England years ago.
"John (Fitzpatrick) comes in two days a week schooling and he gave it a great ride."
The Stewards requested a report from P.G.Coffey, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Barrys Jack, placed first, as compared with its recent form.
P.G. Coffey reported that this animal was a bad box walker and consequently had been trained from the field in recent months.
He recounted that his career had shown very inconsistent form both in Point to Points and on the racecourse.
He felt that the gradual drop in his handicap rating and the step back up in trip may have contributed to this success but thought that the ground was against him.
He concluded by saying that it was a surprise victory as he had run flat recently at Cork.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Queeny trained by Ronald O'Leary, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race. Samples were taken for analysis.
R.A. Doyle, rider of Queeny, trained by Ronald O'Leary, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled on the ground.
(TW & EM)
