LONGCHAMP’S Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe took centre stage on Sunday, but Killarney’s fixture also provided entertainment as opening-race winner Astelia gained a popular and breakthrough success for Mickey D’s Bus Racing Club in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
Peter Fahey’s mare made much of the running under Sam Ewing and went on to gain her maiden win by five lengths from Katie Can’t Count.
Mikey Donoghue of the winning syndicate explained: “While my day job is doing tour buses, I give racing tips on my YouTube channel every day. I have eight Americans on tour at the moment and they’re here today, and there’s a man in the syndicate from Kenmare here, who wasn’t at the races since the 1960s!
“I’ve been involved in a few horses through the years and this is my first in a syndicate. We bought her last year, around the time I was trying to get 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. I got 100 people in at €100 with her, most of the owners have never been involved in a horse and some are from the UK.”
Smart siblings
Footstepstoglory (morning 11s, returned 5/1) gained his own maiden victory in the proceeding Gortnavogue Ltd. T/A Seamus Handicap Hurdle for owners Ray Grehan and John Donohue. The Footstepsinthesand gelding was initially held up in mid-division by Dan King and, having chased the leaders from the second last, flew home to score a last-gasp short-head win over Granlahan.
Winning trainer Harry Kelly commented: “I do a lot of work for Ray and pre-trained this horse’s half-brother, Putapoundinthejar. There are similarities with this horse and all the family take time and get better with age.
“I’m delighted for Ray and John, as they put the faith in me with this horse as I told them he’d deliver. I told them today was the day, so thankfully it worked out, although he let us sweat for it.”
WOODSTREAM Lad (18/1) caused a surprise in the O’Donoghue Ring Collection Beginners Chase on his third start for local trainer and restaurateur, David O’Sullivan.
The nine-year-old raced well behind the leading pair for much of the four-runner race and improved to lead before the last, drawing clear under Alex Harvey to beat Stede Bonnet by five lengths.
O’Sullivan explained: “We weren’t expecting this at all and had been aiming him for a hurdle race. His previous trainer Philip Rothwell said he had lost his confidence over fences, so we felt this was a perfect race to get him back, as it was only over the road from us.
“We bought him from a claiming race for €8,000 and the lads (Eleven Grumpy Men Syndicate) have been great supporters of mine. They are all local builders, electricians, plumbers and more. We actually won this race, but lost it in the stewards’ room last year. Since then, one ‘grumpy lad’ left and another joined, so this is brilliant.
“We only have five riding out and bring them to the beach a lot, so we really babysit them.”
Not without drama
Eoin McCarthy and owner/breeder Jim Curtin had mixed feelings after winning the Carry Out Handicap Chase, due to Kilbrin Rocco (5/2f) returning lame.
Runner-up at last week’s Listowel Festival, Jack Kennedy’s mount challenged at the second last and ran on well on the run-in to beat Stoneyford Lady by a length and a quarter.
“Jack dismounted him as there is an issue,” a disappointed McCarthy said. “He had given him a peach of a ride, he was very good and jumped like a buck. He hit the front at the right time, and he is just a lovely horse. That is his third win in 12 months and hopefully his injury isn’t too serious.”
Brave winner
James The Brave (3/1 favourite) registered a fourth career success in the Gleneagle Group Handicap Hurdle, making all to score by eight lengths from Blackwater Soldier. Previously successful in a Wexford chase last April, the Padraig Butler-trained and Red Strand Syndicate-owned favourite was partnered by Michael Kenneally.
Kenneally reported: “He was very good and has taken a step forward from last year. He did it very well today and will improve again from it.
“I won on him three times last season and he does it all himself. I just drop my hands and let him roll away, as he is clever and knows what to do.”
Cocofred returns to form
HENRY De Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe combined to win the Charlie Foley’s Rated Novice Hurdle with Cocofred (10/3), who scored by a neck from Firebrand.
The Jamie Allday-owned five-year-old won a maiden hurdle in July, but disappointed last time out and O’Keeffe reported: “I thought this lad a good chance if you drew a line through his Kilbeggan run, where he just didn’t run his race.
“I thought my horse showed a good attitude from the last to the line.”
Result stands
There was another close finish to the concluding Quills Menswear Handicap Chase, as the Mark McNiff-trained Joe’s Turn (10/1) prevailed by a short head under Donagh Meyler for owner Miss Carton.
Both the winner and runner-up It’s Time Again drifted left in the final strides, but the result was allowed stand following an enquiry. However, the runner-up’s rider Jordan Gainford received a one-day suspension for his use of the whip.
McNiff reported: “Joe’s Turn didn’t get to run much this year, as he was balloted out on occasions. He is a heavy-ground horse, but his wind doesn’t carry him on it, so we duck and dive looking for reasonable going. He likes a flat track, he jumps and stays all day.
“Donagh gave him a great ride. I’ve lost two races through enquiries already this year, so hopefully this won’t be the third!”