Welcome winner for McCarthy as Island scores at 66/1 The Eoin McCarthy-trained Carrigg Island led his rivals a merry dance to spring a 66/1 shock on his debut in the D & J Glazing Maiden Hurdle at Limerick. Gary Noonan was soon in front on the Papal Bull gelding and he was clear with a circuit to run in the two-mile-five contest. 4/7 shot Mashalla Habibi closed up going to the second last but Carrigg Island picked up well when asked for an effort after the hurdle and flew the final flight to post a three length win. "that was badly, badly needed. We got a bug into the yard and it took us a long time to get it out and had snow which lasted for a week. Everything is back on an even keel now though and in the last three weeks, I felt we were going the right way,” said McCarthy. He added:- "There was no pace in today's race but if they were going a gallop, he'd settle. They gave us the race and we were allowed to do our own thing but he is a nice horse. "We had intended going point to pointing but the lads like the track and sometimes it is easier to win a maiden hurdle. "Mossy and his sons Matthew and Kieran O'Connor have been with me a long time and one of their horses, All The Angels, was one who got me going. They've stuck with it and I'm delighted to get them another winner." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
