Wednesday, May 12, 2010
ANDREW LYNCH was positively brilliant when guiding French-import Kotkidy to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase atKillarney last night.
Carrying the Sizing Europe colours of Alan and Ann Potts, Kotkidy was particularly keen when making his Irish debut at Punchestown and was dropped out at the back here by the talented Lynch.
He still showed a marked tendency to want to get on with business, but Lynch did a fine job of anchoring the four-year-old, before bringing him with a steady challenge to collar front-running Flag Of Honour after the last.
"That was a pretty good ride", said trainer, Henry de Bromhead, with more than a hint of understatement.
"He can be very free, we put ear-plugs in and they seemed to have helped a bit. It was Andrew’s idea to give him a go over fences and he has to travel left-handed."
Adajal was best for money in theCahernane House Hotel Handicap Chase and duly followed up his recent success at Ballinrobe. Superbly handled by David Casey, the Charlie-Swan-trained favourite was only seventh turning for home. But he was soon cantering all over the opposition and eased to the front before the last to score with his head in his chest.
Frank Berry represented connections and reported: "He loves the ground, jumps well and will go for another handicap."
Hampstead Heath, who gave trainer, David Marnane his first winner over fences in a moderate race at Tipperary, was impressive when stepping up in class in the O’Keeffe, O’Shea, O’Connor Solicitors' Novice Chase. A couple of horses flattered in the straight, but it was the grey five-year-old, capably handled by James Casey, who had all the answers when push came to shove.
"He loves fences, he’s very, very quick", said Marnane.
"I don’t know what the plan is, I'm not used to this!''
Fran Berry continued his terrific start to the season, producing a vintage display aboard Shareen in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden.
The daughter of Bahri didn’t travel overly well through the contest, but got a dream run up the inside to master Spelterini and Ballydonnell Drive and score by a head and a neck.
Berry was foiled of a quick double by the narrowest of margins on Nappa Star in the Flesk Valley Rowing Club Handicap.
Gary Carroll got first run on Michael Halford’s Desert Romance, hitting the front at the furlong pole, and though Nappa Star closed the gap with every stride, he failed by a short head to reel in the winner.
A short head was the verdict as well in the Killarney Vintners’ Handicap, on this occasion it went in favour of Gordon Elliott’s 14-1 chance, Thetimesforgood.
He got a typically powerful Declan McDonogh drive, holding on for dear life as Born to Excel flew home.
It was a case of the best wine being kept ‘til last with Dermot Weld’s Natural High romping away with the www.goracingkillarney.com Race.
Reportedly not in very long and uneasy in the market, he totally outclassed this field, powering clear through the final furlong.
Weld wasn’t at the meeting, but you'd imagine what used to be known as the GPT Handicap at Galway will be on his agenda!
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