SEAN O’Keeffe got Ad Caelum up close home to win the featured three-mile Winning Post Service Station Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan on Friday evening.

Owned and trained by John Ryan, the 8/1 chance was held up at the rear of the field and mounted a challenge before the last where the leader, Armed And Fabulous, fell leaving Ad Caelum to dispute the lead with Dartan who was beaten by a head.

“She’s a smashing mare. She’s only a six-year-old and we thought the world of her all the time,” said Ryan. “I thought if the ground was well-watered today she’d have a right chance.

“She’s a good tough honest mare. Herself and her workmate Kate Knows Best, who won the other day, are good mares. She’ll probably go over fences before the season is out.”

Red-hot form

In-form jockey Darragh O’Keeffe dominated the rest of the card. The Cork man rode a treble, initiated by Warriors Wood in the opening two-mile Watch Every Race Live On Racing TV Maiden Hurdle.

After running down favourite Stick To The Plan from three out, the 14/1 chance led at the final flight and stayed on strongly to score by two and a quarter lengths in the colours of S. F. McElroy.

Trainer Andrew McNamara commented: “He’ll be there for the summer and hopefully there is a bit more fun in him. I’d say because it was an even gallop the trip suited him, but he’s possibly a two-and-a-half-mile horse. I’d say he’ll make a summer chaser in time.”

Double up

Costacurta brought up the double for O’Keeffe when easily winning the Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Maiden Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs.

The 4/7 favourite had the measure of Ardeen Joy, when the latter ran off the bend entering the straight. That allowed the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding to coast home an impressive 17-length winner.

O’Keeffe said: “He was very good. We just wanted to get him to switch off and do things right. When Kevin Sexton went on and injected a bit of speed, it was ideal. He did it very well and was still green.

“He quickened very well and jumped the last well. I’d say he loves a bit of nice ground as well. Hopefully, he’ll go up through the ranks as a novice during the summer.”

MARV Michael completed O’Keeffe’s three-timer when staying on best to win the Shanette Superior Space Handicap Chase over an extended two and a half miles.

Sent off 9/2, the gelding who was giving trainer Henry de Bromhead a double on the evening, led before the last after racing prominently all the way. Owned by the Marv Michael Syndicate, the seven-year-old went clear in the straight to score by 12 lengths from General Clermont.

O’Keeffe said: “In fairness he was on song today, he never missed a beat jumping. It was ideal, he winged all the fences down the back and it just put him in pole position, and then he quickened up well.

“It’s a tight track and, when you can zip along the inside, it’s a good help. It’s horses for courses, he won his beginners here very well in similar conditions.”

O’Neill off the mark

Michael O’Neill rode the first winner of his career when landing the two-mile, three-furlong Racing Again June 1st (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race on Minella Emperor, who was making his stable debut for trainer Emmett Mullins.

The 9/4 favourite led on the outside before getting outpaced and dropping back in the field four out. The winner got a second wind inside the final furlong and stayed on best for a cosy three-quarter-length success in the jockey’s own silks.

O’Neill said: “He was really comfortable making it and he was very settled. I ride out for Emmet Mullins five mornings a week and I really enjoy it.

“A friend of mine called Gemma Mallon suggested I take part in it (Corinthian Challenge) and, sure enough, I went ahead and it was great fun. It’s a great feeling. Emmet picked him out at the sales, he liked him, and fair play he picked a winner. Hopefully he goes on to bigger things.”

BEGGARS Rock went a place better than his last run in the Cooke’s Bar And Restaurant Caragh Beginners Chase over an extended two and a half miles for Declan Queally and Kevin Sexton.

Ridden to lead on the run-in, the 6/1 chance kept on well to score by two and a quarter lengths for the Beggars Can’t Be Choosers Syndicate.

“That was lovely,” said Queally. “We bought him for small money and he’s been very profitable for the syndicate. It will be interesting to see what he’d do in handicaps.

“He seems to be better over fences for some reason, I don’t know why. Kevin gets on with the owners and he’s a grand horse to have. We might have a crack at the Connacht National in Roscommon, that’s the one that comes to mind.”

Following up

Malbay Madness followed up his recent course and distance victory to take the two-mile Kilbeggan Handicap Hurdle. After taking a keen hold at the rear of the field, jockey Paddy O’Hanlon produced the 9/2 joint-favourite between runners to lead entering the straight before keeping on strongly to prevail by two lengths from a running on Kaptain Bay.

Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said of the Mrs Judy Duffy-owned winner: “He won well. He said he was a bit keener today than the last day, but he’s going the right way and he’s a grand horse.

“He just got a little bit lit up today, he said he didn’t get as much cover, but he said he finished out the race well even after being a bit keen which is always a good sign. We’ll see what the handicapper does and make a plan from there.”