PERSISTENT heavy rain and a stiff breeze resulted in difficult conditions for all concerned, with the feature Boyle Sports Supporting Irish Racing Veterans Handicap Chase won by Oliver McKiernan’s Supreme Jet.
Making virtually all under Phillip Enright and in a clear lead from early, the 10-year-old was given a breather from three out, but went on again before the next, ultimately easing to a six-and-a-half-length win for Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited.
Registering his first success since October of 2022, the bay victor briefly touched 7s in early shows for this 15-runner contest, eventually going off the second choice of punters at 4/1.
“Oliver’s horses were under a cloud all year, but they are coming back to form now and he had a nice run the last day at Limerick (when third),” Enright reported. “He had a nice light weight and is a great jumper. He travelled super the whole way and seemed to enjoy himself.”
Making most
Butty O Brien (16/1) was another who clearly enjoyed herself at the head of affairs, with this Patrick Magee-trained 10-year-old leading home 15 rivals in the concluding Racing Again 7th May Handicap Chase.
In first-time cheekpieces and in a definite lead from the second, the Black Steel Square Syndicate-owned bay just needed to be kept up to her work in the straight, coming home three and a quarter lengths clear of Rockstown Girl.
“It was the plan to go out in front today and the cheekpieces were a help too,” winning rider Eoin Walsh divulged. “She jumped super and loves a bit of an ease in the ground, so I was delighted to see the rain come.”
EOIN Staples combined with Paul Nolan to register an important double in his quest to be crowned champion conditional.
Moving three ahead of nearest pursuer Mike Kenneally (29 - 26), who was also on the scoresheet, Staples struck first aboard Le Moulin Rouge (1/1 favourite) in the wexfordwalkingtrails.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Dominating this two-and-a-half-mile heat with market rival Captains Speech (11/10), the pair had their own private tussle on the final circuit as they shot clear of the remainder.
Owned by the Browne and Coffey families, the French-bred victor, who led from the sixth, increased his advantage when ridden on the run-in and ultimately came home three lengths to the good.
“He is a great jumper and you don’t know whether you’re doing the right or wrong thing by letting him lose his novice status now, but we see him as a future chaser,” assistant trainer James Nolan reflected.
Thrilling finish
There was a dramatic conclusion to the visitwexford.ie Handicap Hurdle, with Sean Mc (13/2) eventually coming out on top to complete the 14/1 Staples, Nolan brace.
On the heels of the front three approaching the last, the Dominic Delaney-owned victor powered to the front when ridden on the run-in and came home two lengths to the good.
From 11/2 early, Humble Brag was in a share of the lead when unseating Phillip Enright after the last, with the still-in-contention Annie’s Angel falling at the penultimate flight.
“He deserved that. He finished second a couple of times, and you could ignore the last day, as it was his fourth run in quick enough succession,” James Nolan explained.
“I’m delighted for the lads, Dominic Delaney and his family. They are fantastic owners and loyal people. They’ve had horses with us for years and have been a bit unlucky.”
Dramatic
The opening Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle also had its fair share of drama, with Ifallgoeswell (9/4 joint-favourite) deservedly opening his account.
Attempting to make all, Jack Kennedy became unbalanced on Dunleer Crystal (9/4 joint-favourite) approaching the straight and worked wonders to keep the partnership intact.
Slightly hampered as a result, the Philip Byrnes-ridden victor soon improved into a share of the lead and after a good scrap with De Jour En Jour, there was a neck between them at the line.
“We ran him last weekend and the plan wasn’t to come back as quick, but this didn’t look a great race, and we’ll tip away with him now,” Charles Byrnes, who trains the grey six-year-old for the Come Home Sober Syndicate, said.
IN between trips to Aintree, Jack Kennedy registered another important victory in his pursuit of a second champion jockey title. Partnering Agameoftwohalves (5/2 favourite) for Gordon Elliott in the Irish Injured Jockeys Rated Novice Hurdle, Kennedy settled his mount in second.
Following up on his breakthrough success at Punchestown, the J.P. McManus-owned homebred improved to lead after four out, but was soon joined by Jisco Du Brem
Regaining an outright advantage early in the straight and keeping on well when ridden away from the last, he ultimately came home five and a half lengths to the good.
“The rain is after getting into it a bit and I just kept wide off the chopped-up ground,” Kennedy reflected. “He is a grand big horse, a big frame of a horse. He is a bit babyish still and hopefully he’ll progress. He’ll jump a fence and has loads of scope.”
Seasonal hat-trick
James The Brave was another to justify favouritism, with this 9/4 chance (from 5s early) winning for a third time this season in the Tomcoole Farm Novice Handicap Chase.
Improving to lead before four out, the Padraig Butler-trained bay skipped a few lengths clear approaching the straight and, while Mike Kenneally appeared to misjudge the winning post on the run-in, he still prevailed by half a length.
“We are over the moon with him today and he got a brilliant ride from Mike. He is maturing this season an awful lot. He is a big babyish six-year-old,” Butler said of the Red Strand Syndicate-owned victor.
“We will see how he comes out of this before making a plan. He has a nice bit of racing done this season. He might have one more run, but we’ll have to see.”