TRAINER Eoin McCarthy of Athea and jockey Gary Noonan (Newcastle West) have enjoyed a stunning long-distance double.
The pair first struck with the six-year-old Ollie La Ba Ba in the two and three-quarter-mile handicap hurdle at Downpatrick.
Owned by Sean Maguire, the 7/2 chance led well before half-way and pulled away from the final hurdle to win by six lengths from the Willie Mullins-trained 5/4 favourite River Tara which was ridden by Paul Townend.
Then, 500km further south, McCarthy and Noonan won the handicap hurdle over the same distance with the 6/1 shot Moyvilla Lass at Killarney.
The six-year-old went to the front before the final hurdle and pulled away to win by six lengths from the Ken Budds-trained Craic Eile in the colours of owner Martin Coyne.
