JONATHAN Burke got back on track after his injury woes, returning to the number one spot for the first time since April 5th when his mount, Heist, a 14/1 shot, proved best in the Follow @KilbegganRaces On Twitter Handicap Chase.

The victorious Galileo gelding, trained by Pat Griffin and owned by Mike Deren, was less than fluent two out but, to his credit, the six-year-old found plenty for pressure to defeat Valours Minion by two and three-quarter lengths.

Many still had hopes until late in the near two and a half miler, and Myles Ahead was one of those until his bad mistake at the last.

“He was unlucky in Perth last time as the ground went against him. He has to have good ground and daylight,” said James Griffin, son and assistant to Pat.

“He’s only improving and was never right last year. His form shows that he’s a different horse this year. I don’t think his winning is done yet. He just had a few things that we had to get the key to.”

Henry de Bromhead and Andrew Lynch were out of luck in the feature with the mistake prone favourite, Heron Heights, but half-an-hour earlier they had landed the Kieran Kelly Memorial Beginners Chase with the Garristown Aintree Syndicate’s Full Cry (11/2).

A faller at the first here on his last run in mid-July, Full Cry left that behind as he was strongest from before the last when plenty had chances still. Hard To Call (5/2 favourite) finished fourth, but his cause definitely wasn’t aided by a bad mistake two out. Full Cry was an authoritative winner at the finish and had five and a half lengths to spare over Swantykay.

De Bromhead was praise-worthy of Lynch in the aftermath, saying: “He was great and I thought Andrew gave him a brilliant ride.

“He jumped well, but I thought turning in we were in trouble. He stayed on really well and I’m delighted for the owners.”

Davy Russell was treated for a right foot injury (chipped a bone) in the parade ring after guiding Not For You into third place behind Black Sam The Man in the Pig ‘N’ Whistle Pubs & Restaurants New York Handicap Chase. He had to give up his mount on Volvalien in the following race, and on Mr Smith at Downpatrick the next day, after his foot caught a railing as they headed out on the final circuit.

Trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon and ridden by Danny Mullins, point-to-point winner and handicap chase debutant Black Sam The Man dropped in price for this assignment from 10/1 into 15/2. He led on the home turn before the last and he went on to beat Shake It Up by three and a half lengths.

“It’s great for the Kelly family (owners) as he was bought for their father (Patrick), who passed away a couple of months ago. I’m delighted to get a win out of the horse as he had horses with me for the last couple of years and was an out-and-out gentleman,” explained Hanlon.

Two horses who have had all three of their starts at Kilbeggan are Airlie Beach and William Du Berlais. Airlie Beach (a 1/3 shot) maintained her 100% record in the Joe Cooney Memorial Mares Novice Hurdle.

Running for the Supreme Horse Racing Club and Ken Sharp, Willie Mullins’ homebred made most in the hands of Paul Townend to beat her two opponents, Jaime Sommers and Billy’s Hope, by 23 lengths and half a length.

off the mark

J P McManus’ William Du Berlais (8/11 from 10/11) meanwhile, got off the mark after a couple of second placings at the Co. Westmeath course, Enda Bolger’s runner delivering this time by five and a half lengths from Solar Heat.

“The nicer ground this evening was in his favour. It rained a lot the last day here and it caught him out. He’s only five and will, hopefully, be a chaser in time,” said Bolger of Mark Walsh’s mount.

In the following Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey (C & G) Maiden Hurdle, the McManus representative Borderlinedecision (4/5 favourite) had to settle for third, going down by a length and a half and a neck to Good Tradition and Holy Water.

It got tight between horses for Borderlinedecision (let down by his jumping) in the closing stages, but 7Ib claiming amateur rider Dean Sinnott timed things well to bring the Chanelle Phar Ltd-owned Good Tradition (5/2) through from an unpromising position to win.

The Dermot Weld-handled Pivotal gelding was confirmed as winner after a steward’s enquiry. This was Sinnott’s second winner and his first over hurdles.

“I’ve been working for Mr Weld for a year-and-a-half and I absolutely love it. All the lads in the yard are so helpful and it’s just great to get the chances,” commented Sinnott.

“Hisaabaat was my first winner on my first ride (Bellewstown, July 2015).”

Consistent and sales-bound Burrows Lane (6/5 favourite) deservedly got a turn in a first-time tongue-tie in the concluding Tom Birmingham Menswear INH Flat Race.

Glen Howitt’s French-bred put his experience to good use under Finny Maguire, getting the better of the promising Stolen Diamond by half a length. Gambled-on Apasionado (8/1 into 7/2) didn’t get the best run through and he was three lengths off the principals in third.

“He’s been second three times so it’s great to get his head in front,” remarked successful trainer Liz Doyle.

“I’ve had him since a foal. He’ll probably go to the sales now as the owner is a seller. It’s great to get the win before he goes and he deserves it.”