Owner/trainer/breeder delighted with his mare Baidin Fheilimi, with Pierce Gallagher in the saddle, powered away from the last to win the Munster Handicap Hurdle in Cork by six lengths. The 16/1 shot (paid 24.60 euro on the Tote) collared long-time leader Samantha Jones on the run to the final hurdle and quickly put the two mile four contest to bed. Samantha Jones (4/1) made all under Jody McGarvey, but got tired at the business end of the race. She was returning from a summer break of 89 days. Asithappens and Knockanarrigan gave their each way punters some cheer as they came in third and fourth respectively at 14/1 and 6/1. Patrick Cronin bred, owns and trains the seven-year-old mare and he said: “I’m a farmer and I’ve a few broodmares and point-to-pointers. It’s a family outfit and we all help out. We have the licence three or four years and this is my third winner on the track. “She’ll go to Killarney for an opportunity handicap hurdle.” Lancing, the 2/1 favourite for Tony Martin and Ruby Walsh, was pulled up injured after three out. He was found to be lame when examined post-race. It has been a while ‘between drinks’ for trainer Patrick Cronin as his last winner was Prideofthecastle in Limerick on December 28. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
