DONNACHA O’Brien followed in his father Aidan and brother Joseph’s footsteps in saddling a winner over jumps through Kilmeaden (11/1) in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle for four-year-olds.
Rated 91 on the flat, the son of Galileo chased clear leader, and odds-on favourite, Madness D’elle and wore down that rival in the home straight to score by two and a quarter lengths.
Kilmeaden, owned by Max and Tom Wachman, Charles Shanahan, John Magnier and Michael Tabor, had been brought down on jumping debut at Limerick over Christmas.
“He’s a lazy racer, but he keeps grinding and is good and tough,” said winning rider J.J. Slevin.
“He’s going to be a distance horse in time, I’d say he’ll go right out in trip.”
“We were kind of thinking of aiming him at the Fred Winter,” said O’Brien. “He was pretty impressive, so whether we change plan and throw him into a Triumph Hurdle, we’ll see.
“He’s quite laid back, so whether everything would happen a bit quick for him around Cheltenham, I don’t know, but it could still be worth a shot.
“He’s the only jumps horse we’ve got. We might have a few more in the future, but it’s not something we’re looking to get too big in anyway.”
Successful debut
Making her racecourse debut for Willie and Patrick Mullins, How’s Hannah (9/4) ran away with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race.
The Sans Frontieres mare, a point-to-point winner last year, moved to the front at the three pole and came home 13 lengths in front of Think It Through.
Patrick Mullins said: “I bought her off Tim Townend. He was very sweet on her, and he knows the time of day.
“Then Aubrey McMahon took her off me for the Temple Bloodstock Syndicate, who are having great luck at the moment.
“She’s 17 hands. She’s seven years old, but you can see why, with the size of her. Whether we go hurdling now and chasing next year or stay in bumpers, we’ll have to wait and see.
“The really strong gallop and the soft ground suited her. I think Tim might have the brother going to the sales in February, so I was under pressure to run her before that!”
Co Cork-based trainer Martin Fitzgerald made it two winners from two runners in 2026, when Ill Raise A Glass (11/1) landed the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The winner was left in front when Susie Lenglen fell two out and Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount stayed on well to see off odds-on favourite Poetisa, who was very novicey in her jumping, by five lengths.
“She won a bumper very well last year and she was a bit weak, she’s strengthening up great this year,” said Fitzgerald.
“We might look for a novice hurdle somewhere and it would be nice to get a bit of blacktype. John Hennessy owns her and he bred her. Eric Kenneally owns a share in her as well, and his brother Eddie trains in America.”
AFTER a double on Sunday’s card, Charles Byrnes made it three winners in two days at Punchestown when the well-supported Shabby Hill (9/2) won the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle over two miles three furlongs, in the hands of the trainer’s son, Philip.
Soon racing in second, the Kalanisi gelding led off the home turn and saw off Lyreen Og by three-parts of a length with Kimi De Mai (a third Willie Mullins odds-on shot to be beaten on the card) back in third.
Trainer Byrnes said: “We bought him in Goresbridge, he had won a point-to-point, and he got a few bits of injuries. I’m delighted for the owner Peter Mackin, who is from Newry. His patience has paid off. I think he’ll make a nice three-mile chaser.”
Fierce finish
Be Fierce (10/1) held on by a head from fast-finishing favourite Where Are You Now at the end of an extended two miles in the John Thomas McNamara (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle.
Lee Shanahan rode a patient race aboard Michael and Anne Moran’s nine-year-old, who led before the final flight and just lasted home.
“The young lad gave him a great ride,” said trainer Ted Walsh. “He has a run in him about the length of the parade ring, and he was trotting going to the line. He jumps like a stag, but has a short run in him.”
ON his first run outside of maiden company, Mojoe (14/1) surged home to land the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Handicap Hurdle over two miles three furlongs.
In a steadily-run contest, there were plenty of horses in contention on the run to the last and it was the Simon Torrens-ridden winner who finished best to beat market leader Sean Mc by half a length.
Trainer Pat Foley said: “I thought Simon was class on him, as he’s not the most straightforward horse in the world, he can be on and off the bridle. I’m delighted for Jim Browne (owner/breeder), he’d be more used to the flat than jumps, and this is more of a novelty for him.”
Lough Nigara (5/1) gained an elusive victory in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle over two miles six furlongs.
After being somewhat reluctant to line up, the Dunglen Racing Syndicate’s nine-year-old came from off the pace under Ricky Doyle to account for Folly Master by five and a half lengths.
Trainer Eoin Griffin said: “We stuck cheekpieces on him today to sharpen him up.
“He’s tricky enough, but has been very consistent and it’s nice to get the win. Hopefully, there is another one in him and we’ll go chasing with him then. Testing ground is imperative for him.”