Conor Counihan cheers on Ik's Man and jockey John Shinnick to major success for Cork syndicate

Paul Townend prospered from a switch to Lombron after his intended mount Rath Gaul Boy, reported lame, was a significant non-runner in the Ballymacarbry Beginners Chase here at Clonmel Racecourse. 

The drying ground saw a number of non-runners which changed the market significantly for this contest. Dancingondaceiling, Killaney King and Lady Bresil were all out due to the change in the going allied to Townend's original mount. 

Lombron was backed into 1/2 from 8/13 and made all the running to fend off market rival Western Fold who kept the jolly honest.

Townend elected to lead from flagfall and jumped well in the main apart from a slight mistake at the fifth last. 

He was joined by his market rival before turning in and was pushed along on the run to two out. He gave generously and asserted on the run-in to win by two and a quarter lengths.

HERITAGE

Lombron had scored on his Irish debut over hurdles at Thurles in 2023. He runs in the colours of the Roaringwater Syndicate, which involves the family of the late Archie O’Leary, who owned the iconic superstar Florida Pearl and a host of other top-class national hunt horses. The syndicate carries the same colours as Florida Pearl but with a different cap. 

The Turgeon gelding was placed on his first outing over hurdles in France before joining current connections. The winner is clearly ground versatile and jumps well which opens up further opportunities. 

Ik's Man who won a point-to-point at Ballynoe in 2022 added to those gains in the Careys Castle Handicap Chase. The winner is trained in Carrigtwohill by Terence O'Brien and was partnered by Glanworth jockey John Shinnick. 

They lead turning for home and Shinnick quickly kicked for touch at this juncture. He was spring-heeled at the last and stretched clear to beat Emily In Paris by nine lengths. 

The Carrigtwohill trainer has farmed this race in recent years and this was his fourth victory since he began his four-out-of-five sequence with Ask Heather in 2020.

O’Brien also won this race with Emancipator twice. 

The winner was greeted by his enthusiastic owners the Rebel Deise Syndicate and Maura Healy and Joe McGowan. 

Former Cork football manager Conor Counihan was also present to greet the winner who had disappointed somewhat in Limerick recently. He was relatively easy to easy back at 12/1 on course. 

It's been a good week for Shinnick and O’Brien they combined on Saturday at Navan with Jay Pee M.