MY Gaffer led his rivals a merry dance in the featured John ‘Chucky’ Dunne Memorial Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan last Friday night.

John Ryan’s charge led from pillar to post under Danny Mullins and was clear from halfway, going on to record a comprehensive 14-length success over Clonshire River.

The Malinas gelding was making his first start over fences since April and Ryan said of Walter O’Connor’s 13/2 winner: “I’m delighted with that. He’s not over big and hopefully the handicapper isn’t too hard on him.

“He gave him a lovely ride. He’s a smashing horse, a grand horse to have, and there’s more left in him, he’s only seven. We’ll probably run him over hurdles in Listowel, there is a race in Killarney for him as well.”

The other handicap chase on the card produced a much tighter finish with the Gordon Elliott-trained Hardy Diamond getting on top close home.

Jack Kennedy got a good tune from the Diamond Boy mare as she chased down Pride Of Place late on to secure a head success in the three-mile-one race.

Kennedy said of the 6/1 winner: “She jumped and travelled nicely, she missed the second last, but winged the last and galloped to the line.”

CHARLES Byrnes has options in mind for Reverend Hubert after he bounced back to winning ways in the Joe Cooney Memorial Hurdle. Charles Byrnes’ charge went to post 11/8 favourite in the three-mile-one contest and the trainer’s son Philip was keen to make it on the Zoffany gelding, going on after the first flight.

The seven-year-old was joined by Jabbar after the second last, but stuck to his task well, asserting before the last for an 11-length success.

“It was a lovely race for him with the conditions. I’d say a small field suits him, he doesn’t really like a big field,” said Byrnes. “The plan was to make it a test, as there was a question mark about the rest of them staying. There is a similar race in Down Royal at the end of the month. He’s badly handicapped over fences, we’ll have to have a look at the Flat as well.”

Garden blossoms

The large crowd at Kilbeggan gave local winner Killian’s Garden a good reception after his success in the Bernard Kenny Maiden Hurdle. The Ciaran Murphy-trained gelding had to dig deep in the two-mile-three contest, grinding down 1/2 shot Eclipse Chaser close home for a length-and-three-quarters success.

Murphy trains the 7/2 winner for Liam Gavin and he said afterwards: “He was very game, he had to dig deep there. It’s probably as quick as he wants it, but with the level of race and it being our local track, local owner, it was important that we came here.

“What a ride by Eoin Walsh, he was excellent. He showed loads of confidence and I was very impressed with him. He’ll probably take a little bit of time after that run as he had to dig deep there, he won’t be rushed out. For us to have a local winner here is like having five or six winners. It’s lovely for our yard.”

Faithful victory

In the opening Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Maiden Hurdle, another hotpot was turned over late on. Niall Prendergast delivered Paul Hennessy’s Faithful Follower with a strong run from the final flight to collar 8/15 favourite Astelia and record a length-and-a-half success at odds of 7/1.

Prendergast said: “He was unlucky last time, Donagh Meyler got a bad enough fall off him in Bellewstown. It knocked a bit of confidence out of the horse and he was galloping through a couple of hurdles, it did no harm as it was slowing him down.

“He improved immensely and hopefully he can keep going forward. Paul is a genius of a man. He’s been through the mill with the dogs, good days and bad days. He’s a great ambassador for any sport or anything he does. Personally he’s very good to me.”

THE Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Hurdle also produced a terrific finish with I’m Flattered emerging on top after three flashed past the post together.

Splendid Choice swept through to lead after the second last in the two-miler, but was chased down on the run-in by both Surviving Murmansk and the eventual winner, who got the verdict by a head under Aidan Kelly.

Padraig Roche trains the 14/1 winner and he said afterwards: “That was great. Noreen (McManus) bred her and leased her to the lads (I’m Flattered Syndicate), they are a great bunch of lads from Roscrea.

“She was weak and, in fairness to the lads, they have been patient with her. It’s great to get the win out of her. I’d say the drop back in trip helped, I’d say the last day, she just mightn’t have stayed.”

Fahey’s compensation

Peter Fahey had been out of luck in the opener when hotpot Astelia got turned over, but was celebrating after the bumper when Appy Getaway made a winning debut for local owner Carmel Ennis.

John Gleeson produced the 5/1 shot with a strong run to lead in the closing stages, as the Getaway gelding got up for a half-length win over Ozark’s Walk.

“We always thought an awful lot of this horse,” said Fahey. “I wanted to go to Galway, but Cathal (Ennis) was keen to have a winner at his local track, with his family and all here. Thank God it worked out.

“I think he’s a very nice horse. John came back in and said the tight track wasn’t ideal for him, he’s a big strong horse. He’s something to really look forward to, if he’s not sold.”