By Michael O’Leary
As all sporting events in Ireland including Horse Racing have been brought to a standstill until Sunday 19th April, Willie Mullins recorded a double at yesterdays (Tuesday) race meeting staged in Clonmel behind closed doors.
The first part of the double came when Bachasson with Paul Townend on board defied odds-on favorite to run out a twelve length winner of the feature race, the Download The BoyleSports App Steeplechase, before Paul’s sister Jody completed the double in the concluding Bumper as Captain Kangaroo – running on his debut – returning at 10/1 ran out a 4 length winner to finish clear of another debutant Kilcruit trained by Willie’s brother Tony, ridden by his son Patrick, and running in the colours of his Mum Maureen.
Captain Kangaroo’s victory meant it will be the last winner on Irish soil until at least 19th April as yesterday (Tuesday), the Government brought all sporting events on Irish terrritory to a standsill for almost a month.
The Mullins clan also had success earlier in the day when Danny was on board the favorite Shantou Sisu who made to land The Extra Places On The BoyleSports App Handicap Hurdle for Laois trainer Billy Lanigan.
Shantou Sisu gained an overdue element of good fortune in Clonmel having been unfortunate on his two previous visits to the Powerstown Park, when he was just touched off by a short head earlier in the month, while back in December, he fell at the penultimate flight when he was still leading.
Meanwhile, the day began when Kilmacow native Donagh Meyler was on board the 6/4 favorite Farmis to run out a resounding 20 length of the opening maiden hurdle for the Liz Doyle stable, as he finished well clear of the Tom Foley trained Rebel Gold who was running in his colours of his daughter as he filled the runner-up spot.
