A record crowd of over 12,000 turned out yesterday evening to see Scallybuck land Kilbeggan's biggest race of the season, the Elan Midlands National Handicap Chase. Norman Williamson's mount headed the trail-blazing Nippy Cherry at the last, and was driven right out to hold River Cora by a length to provide Limerick handler Michael Hourigan with his first winner of the season. 'That's the second good prize he has won for us this year as he also won a £25,000 race at Down Royal in May,' said Hourigan.
'I have Tell The Nipper and Scallybuck entered in the Plate,' he added, 'although this fellow may go instead for the Blazers.'
Williamson doubled up in the following EBF Beginners Chase on the Kevin O'Brien-trained Brandy Galore. The six-year-old struck the front on the home turn to beat Goodnight Mike by three lengths.
The only remaining unit in the jackpot was running onto the runner-up, and the pool of £12,427 is carried forward to the next meeting here on August 11th.
Paul Carberry partnered a winner for the fifth successive day when Pillar Rock justified favouritism in the opening Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle. The Noel Meade-trained gelding cruised past Dariole at the last to provide the Meath-born rider with his 18th success of the season.
