Wexford's rising star Eoin Staples enjoyed a standout weekend in the saddle, landing a brilliant double at Downpatrick on Friday before adding another win at Listowel on Sunday.
The Duncormick jockey kicked off his success at Downpatrick when partnering the Gavin Cromwell-trained Arcland to victory in the opening two-and-a-quarter-mile handicap hurdle. The 9/4 favourite led after the final flight and held on strongly to beat Half A Chance, trained by Shark Hanlon, by half a length. Staples struck again later on the card, this time teaming up with trainer Cian Collins aboard Sporting Glance in the two-mile-five-furlong rated novice hurdle. The 3/1 favourite, owned by Kevin McConnell, took control before the final hurdle and stormed clear to win by seven lengths from Gordon Elliott’s Penny Perfect. Cian Collins also went on to complete a training double when Solly Attwell, ridden by Jordan Gainford, claimed the three-mile handicap chase. The 12/1 shot came from off the pace to lead after the last fence and pulled away to win by six lengths from Midnight Moonshine. Over at Listowel on Sunday, Farfromnowhere gave Paul Nolan a well-deserved win in the two-and-a-half-mile mares’ hurdle. The seven-year-old, trained for David Flynn and John Brennan, took up the running at the second-last under Sean O’Keeffe and won comfortably by five lengths from Emmet Mullins’ Dream On Baby. Eoin Staples wasn’t done yet — he teamed up with Gavin Cromwell again for another victory, this time on Pampar Lady in the two-and-a-quarter-mile mares’ handicap hurdle. In the colours of the Wash Yer Hands Syndicate, the six-year-old added to her previous wins at Cork and Kilbeggan by edging out Music Of Life by a neck in a thrilling finish. The wins mark a significant boost for Staples, whose form and consistency are earning him growing attention across the Irish National Hunt scene.
