Coloursaregreen gives Hennessy remarkable eighth Gold Cup title

COLOURSAREGREEN (17/2) credited trainer Paul Hennessy with a remarkable eighth victory in the 28 stagings of the event with a superb display to land the €16,000 Tote Gold Cup final over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park.

It was only a third career victory for the Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham-owned son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary but always looked on the cards when he loomed up on the outside of favourite Solo And Go early in the back straight.

In truth, the pivotal moment came a little earlier when Coloursaregreen just clipped the back end of Solo And Go as he attempted to cut across from trap five, the lost momentum preventing the market leader racing clear.

Having gone on along the back straight, the Hennessy dog was always in charge and came home three lengths to the good of a gallant Solo And Go, whose finishing position stuck to the rails emphasised how tough a draw five was for him, in clocking 28.38sec.

Ballymac Siun was third, another length and a half away.

Hennessy was not finished either as his Lennies Tank, owned by Lee Craze, concluded proceedings with a best-of-night 28.23sec victory in the finale.

Always in charge, he comfortably held the late run of Ballydoyle Tina by a length in a contest where Droopys Kathleen, making her long-awaited return to action, had to settle for fifth after a troubled run.