JACK Kennedy, who has recently returned to the saddle, landed the featured QuinnBet Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle on 7/1 shot Bowensonfire who was the first leg of a double for Gordon Elliott.
The five-year-old gelding raced in mid-division and made his move in the straight. Kennedy sent him on over the last and the KTDA Racing representative kept on strongly along the run in to score by four and a half lengths.
Kennedy said: “He was good there. I’d say the Galway Hurdle is probably next on the cards for him.
“He probably got knocked around a lot in that race and that can happen in the Galway Hurdle. He’s showing the right signs of handling that type of race.”
Overcoming enquiry
Elliott’s Stede Bonnet (13/8 favourite) overcame a stewards’ enquiry to land the J.H. McLoughlin Oil INH Flat Race in the hands of Josh Williamson.
He worked his way to the front approaching the final quarter of a mile, but was strongly pressed by Garahon at the business-end. The stewards looked at possible interference from the winner to the runner-up in the closing stages and deemed that, although interference had occurred, it hadn’t affected the result (half a length victory by Agardsley Investments Limited’s Stede Bonnet).
Williamson said: “I felt like between the two and the one John (Gleeson on Garahon) was coming. I was worried he was going to get past me and he tried hard. I think Walk In The Park was stamped in him (winner).” The winning jockey was handed a two-day suspension for riding carelessly.
MRS Mc Go landed a gamble in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Mares Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.
The seven-year-old Court Cave mare was backed in from 8/1 to 10/3 (having been 16/1 in the morning) and tracked the clear leader Hillhead Runner.
She swept through for Alex Harvey after the penultimate flight and galloped away on the run-in to score by 10 lengths.
John McConnell said: “The owner, Tommy McGeough, does a lot of the work with her, so it is really down to him. He rides out for us and he looks after her all the time.
“I’d say that is her minimum trip, she will probably be better again stepped up to three miles. She could be a nice filly in a novice hurdle somewhere.”
According to plan
The Dickie McGuinness Novice Hurdle over an extended two miles and a furlong went very much to plan for Autumn Twist and Daniel King. The 3/1 led over the final obstacle where he wasn’t foot-perfect, but found on the run-in to beat Mick Collins by half a length.
Denis Hogan said: “Great for good supporters of mine, Brian and Katie Castle. They couldn’t be here, they live across in Scotland. I put this horse to them a few months back and they went with my word. He’ll go to Galway now. We can revert to the flat or even a handicap hurdle.”
Avondale (5/1 - 3/1) enjoyed a decisive victory in the Grimme Ireland Maiden Hurdle. From third at the halfway point, Sean Flanagan guided him into the lead entering the straight and the Gleneagles gelding asserted before the last hurdle and strode in by seven lengths.
Owner/trainer Barry Connell said: “He will have learned a lot from that as he hasn’t run since September. The rest of them are all match fit. I think you can mark him up for a couple of reasons. He will go to Galway on the Tuesday for a listed winners’ of one race with a 2lb penalty. I’d say with the hill, it will suit him down to the ground.”
GARNACHO hacked up on stable debut for Mark Fahey in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle over the extended two and a half miles. He was backed down to 6/4 favourite and Thomas O’Connor sent him on after three out and stayed on well to put 12 lengths on runner-up Jaadil.
Fahey said: “Chasing will be his game. As long as we can keep him in one piece, the boys (Pegasus Racing Ltd) will have a good bit of fun. I’m delighted for the lads, they are new into my yard and that’s the second horse they have with me and the second winner.”
Our Soldier (9/2) took the Johnny’s Race Day Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles. Harry Swan drove the six-year-old gelding, owned by Denis O’Brien, to the front approaching the last to post a three-length win for trainer Edward O’Grady.
The jockey said: “He’s a lovely horse, he’s progressive and I’m looking forward to him. He’s definitely a horse that wants a fence as well.”