Racing Review – Historic double for Gary Noonan

In-form Gary Noonan of Newcastle West.

Newcastle West jockey Gary Noonan enjoyed his first career double at Killarney on Sunday.
Trainer Eoin McCarthy of Athea and Noonan teamed up to win the two-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle with Caoimhes Pet. The well backed 7/2jf led before the last, keeping on well to win by a-length-and-three-quarters for owner John Gerard Kelly.
Noonan later landed his historic double when winning the two-mile-seven-furlong handicap chase on 14/1 outsider Avec Espoir for Val O’Brien. Owned by his brother Seán, the gelding made virtually all the running, staying on well to win by a length.
On the same card, the Enda Bolger of Bruree trained Solitary Man justified 6/4f when winning the two-mile-seven-furlong novices hurdle on the same card. The Paul Shanahan owned gelding went clear after the last under Darragh O’Keeffe to record an easy five length win.
Elsewhere at Tipperary, Rathkeale father-and-son Eric and Conor McNamara combined to win the two-mile-seven-furlong handicap hurdle with 5/2f Londonofficecallin.
The In Bounds Syndicate owned grey led after two out, battling on well to win by three-quarters-of-a-length.