Lynch survives Del boy blunder

Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch gave a demonstration in the art of horsemanship when he survived a terrible mistake by the Jim Dreaper-trained Del Rio at Perth last week where there was real Meath flavour in the winners' enclosure. Lynch, who was nominated as the Meath Chronicle / Cusack Hotels Sports Person of the Month for March, managed to stay on board the Del Rio at the third last fence in a maiden chase. Del Rio, the 10/11 favourite, took a keen hold and blundered badly in the home straight. That mistake nearly unseated Lynch, who made great recovery, but still had plenty to do to overhaul the Gordon Elliott-trained Mayo Abbey and Kilmessan jockey Jason Maguire. However, there was compensation for Elliott and Maguire who won the next race, a claiming hurdle with Right Or Wrong, formerly trained by Noel Meade for the Neighbours Racing Club. Elliott and Maguire also won a handicap hurdle with Hearthstead Dream. The Kilmessan man also won the opening race on the card, for a treble on the day. Trainer Andy Lynch was on the mark at Cork on Friday when Coscorrig and Shay Barry won a beginners' chase for jockey Shay Barry who deputised for jockey Andrew Lynch who was stood down after a fall in the previous race. At Kilbeggan on Saturday Noel Meade continued his return to form when Dreadnot won a hurdle race for Davy Condon. There was also success at the Westmeath track for Dunshaughlin jockey Keith Donoghue who added another winner to his tally for trainer Elliott when Ballylanigan made the most of the exit of Strongpoint in a beginners' chase. Cortown jockey Roger Loughran was also on the mark when Marky Bob won a maiden hurdle convincingly. Local trainer Ger Lyons was in double form at Navan on Sunday. Lyons won the opening race with Cosmic Breeze which was ridden by seven-pound claimer Kieran O'Neill. The Kiltale-based trainer completed his double when Ghetto Gospel blasted home for Keagan Latham who pushed clear of his rivals from over two furlongs out. Meade continued his good run when Fisher Bridge reverted to the flat in a handicap at Roscommon Monday and made all under Timmy Carroll to win well. Another Meath trainer, Gerry Keane, was also in the winners' enclosure when Lynott (20/1) caused a surprise under Davy Moran. The horse has had his fair share of problems in the past and the trainer was reluctant to run him on the ground. Lynott had previously won at the corresponding meeting at Roscommon three years ago.