Report | Stradbally 25th May 19

21-year-old Shane Fenelon enjoyed a hugely successful day at Stradbally when riding a double at the county Laois venue.

The first of his successes, which also marked the County Wicklow natives first ever career winner, came aboard Urban Legend in the Tattersalls Ireland five-year-old geldings' maiden for Shark Hanlon.
The son of Pasternak stayed on well to lead close home in this thrilling contest denying the John Paul Brennan-trained Poncherello by a neck.

Winning handler Shark Hanlon said: "I am delighted for Shane (Fenelon). He is a really good fella and is a great worker and he tries very hard.
“He has been with me for the last year and a half and it was great to be able to give him his first winner."

Success in The Heffernan Family winner-of-two contest gave Fenelon a quick double on day, this time for Eamon ‘Dusty’ Sheehy and Dermot Morgan.

The victory came aboard Rudy Catrail who galloped his three rivals into submission when recording a 12-length winning victory having lead from flag fall, with Wexford handler once again have to settle for the runners-up spot, this time with his two-time winner Oscar Academy.

The winning handler said: “It is brilliant for Shane (Fenelon), as he is a lovely lad and is a very hard worker and I was delighted to be able to put him up.

“This lad is owned by Dermot Morgan from Rostrevor in County Down and it was the first bit of luck he has had.  He has had horses with me for the last two to three years so it was great to be able to give him a winner.”

The Gordon Elliot-trained Kruzhlinin continued in his winning ways when taking the Meadow Meats ladies open to record his 12th success of season.

Ridden by Lisa O'Neill, the chestnut gelding recorded a comprehensive 10-length victory over the Sam Curling-trained Sound Money who was ridden by Maxine O’Sullivan to reverse the placings of their recent clash at Necarne.

Winning owner Camilla Sharples, who is the Elliot's travelling head girl said; "I am just delighted, I was so nervous, I just wanted him to get around safe and sound.
“He has just been unbelievable this season."

Secret Court ran out a comprehensive winner of The Dowling Family five-year-old adjacent maiden in the hands of Paul Bannon.

The daughter of Court Cave was getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking here for Peter Flood, having finished sixth last time out in the older mares maiden at Loughrea earlier in the month.
The five-year-old winner asserted her dominance in this six-runner contest when sprinting clear to claim an easy victory over the Aidan Fitzgerald-trained Star Status.

The winning handler’s father Barney Flood was on hand to greet the winner and he said: "We really expected her to win on her last two outings but she was mad in season, so she did today what we thought she would have done first time out. She is a decent mare that will go to the sales next."

The father and son partnership of Denis and Conor Moore claimed the spoils in the Design Options and Egan’s Off-License six-year-old and upwards mares maiden with Tilly's Torment.

The eight-year-old who has finished fifth on both of her previous starts this season at Ballinaboola, denied the Colin Bowe-trained Ballinamona Flyer by two-and-a-half lengths. The winning Wexford-based handler/owner said: “She is a right good mare and I think she is good enough to go for a bumper now. She absolutely loved that ground and picked up really well for Conor (Moore).”

Parsons Avenue came out on top in the Laois Hire six-year-old and upwards geldings' maiden for novice riders in the hands of Ben Harvey. Handled by Ian Mcaghy, this Grape Tree Road gelding ran out a very easy 12-length winner over the Edmond Kent-trained and James Kenny-ridden Hellenic Fire.

The winner started his career with Aidan Kennedy before going pointing in Britain for a season. The bay gelding is now enjoying his first season back in Ireland with Ian McCaghy.

The victory marked the winning handler’s second success and he said: "Ben (Harvey) is a cracking rider and gave this lad a brilliant ride.
“I bought him from Aidan Kennedy and he told me that today’s conditions were ideal for him. He will go for a winners’ race next whilst the ground stays good."