McGuane rides 1st winner as Harrington team double up Jessica Harrington completed a Punchestown brace when Mikey McGuane rode his first winner aboard Ever Present (25/1) in the BETDAQ Casino INH Flat Race. McGuane began race riding, also for the Commonstown team, aboard Got Trumped at the Galway festival during the summer. On his second ride he had Jamie Codd (eventually 3rd on Joseph Conrad) and Derek O’Connor (4th in the end on Magic Tricks) to contend with in the straight. Finny Maguire finished off well to ultimately take second on The Big Story, but Kildare teenager McGuane could afford to give Ever Present a pat down the neck crossing the line a length and a quarter to the good. Ever Present was scoring at the first time of asking, and he was adding to the Harrington gains from the opener with the very promising Crosshill (Paddy Kennedy). "That's my first winner and my second ride,” said McGuane. "The race went very well and I followed Derek O'Connor (on favourite Magic Tricks) the whole way. I gave him a squeeze turning in and I knew I had loads of horse left and he idled away in front and won well. "I'm 16, in fifth year in Castledermot and have been riding out with Jessie since I was 12 and she has taught me everything and I did a bit of pony racing as well." The Stewards reviewed an incident before turning for home where it appeared Montrose Ave, ridden by Mr B. Lawless, struck the running rail. Having viewed a recording of the incident, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. (TW & EM)
