Crecora owner, Joe Mangan, his wife, Nuala, and other family members, had five runners involved in the ten races at the Markets Field on Saturday.

And they enjoyed success in two sweep finals with Banbas Duv (Premier Fantasy-Banbas Concorde) flying to an exciting win in the A4. Showing good early pace from trap three she led all the way but had to hold off a strong challenge from Dooey Di Caprio (1) to shade it by a short head in 29.55 to credit Joe with the €620 prize.

The James Roche-trained Amigan Girl (3) led at the first bend in the Guys And Dills Mini Open Final. But in the back straight, Banbas Vieri (Droopys Vieri-Killington Run) led at the third bend and went away for a four lengths win in 28.59 from Brennies Boy (2), owned by Patrick Maher.

There was a local success, too, in the final of the Novice 700 Yards Sweep, with €760 for the winner. Michel O’Sullivan sent in Spare The Air (Droopys Scholes-Fancy Flower), owned by Michael Meade of Knocklong who  scored by three parts of a length in 39.31.

The semi-finals of an A3 were also run and the fastest of the two winners, Smooth Pearl (Top Honcho-Hawaiian Sand) scored in 28.66. He led all for a seven lengths win for Patrick J Cassidy and agent Pat Buckley of Doon, beating another of the Mangan owned runners, Banbas Premier (1) owned by Ashley Mangan with Ta Toosh (4), owned by Janet Downes of Killaloe, third, four lengths adrift.

Tally Ho Flyit (2) showed early pace in the other heat but by the third bend, John Boyce’s La Roi (Sinead Slaney-Karalla) took over. He won by a length in 28.88 with Soviet Katie (1) taking the other qualifying place for Sean Cronin of Kilmallock who was six lengths adrift.

The annual Christy Daly Memorial Sweep, an A1, got off to a blistering start with a marvellous run in the opening heat by Superstar Bluie (Jamella Prince-Glenbeg Lizzy).

Trained by Neilus O’Connell for Mary Carroll of Croom he was in action at Kilkenny in his three last outings. He sparkled on his return to this venue where he last won in mid September to score by ten lengths in 28.35, the fastest winner of the night.
Leamanagh Flash (1), owned by Paddy Hennessy, was second, two lengths faster than Corporate Group (5), owned by Breda Kilroy and John Healy.