IN front of an enthusiastic 12,000 racegoers, Athea trainer Eoin McCarthy enjoyed a timely win with Carrigg Island (66/1) on his debut in the D&J Glazing Maiden Hurdle at a sun-soaked Greenmount Park, Patrickswell.
The winner was piloted by Gary Noonan, Newcastle West.
“That was badly, badly needed,” admitted McCarthy to irishracing.com. “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.”
“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 (owners from Ballylongford, county Kerry) 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.”
