Senecia proves Webster Cup win was no fluke with victory at Killarney

A second go at the Galway Plate is now on the agenda for Senecia 

Senecia and Philip Enright (white & red) win the Grade 3 An Riocht Steeplechase from Three Card Brag (blue & white) at Killarney. Pic: HEALY RACING

Senecia has been set some stiff tasks since springing a 50-1 surprise in the Grade Two Webster Cup at Navan in March of last year but he proved that success to be no fluke when making all to win the Grade Three BOYLE Sports An Riocht Chase at Killarney on Monday.

Gentleman De Mee was sent off the 11-8 favourite to make Harry Cobden’s first trip to Killarney a winning one but the writing was on the wall a long way from home for the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old and he dropped away tamely to finish sixth of the seven finishers.

In contrast, 10-1 shot Senecia was always travelling enthusiastically in the hands of Phillip Enright and he found generously when challenged by Three Card Brag on the run-in, a length separating the pair at the finish.

“He has plenty of ability but he’s had a lot of issues,” winning trainer Vincent Halley said. “You go back to his Webster Cup form or his run in the Fortria [when third] a few years ago, he’s put in some big runs in the past.” The Waterford handler added: “He’s had a wind procedure done and it seemed to help a lot. He just needed the procedure to help him with his breathing.

“He’s been working well at home, his work has been very good but until you get them back on the racecourse, you don’t really know. But I thought he had a squeak today.” 

A second crack at the Galway Plate, a race he finished 14th in last year, is now on the agenda for Senecia.

Halley said: “In my head I was thinking about the Plate if he ran well or won today. Last year it didn’t work out because the start was a bit messy for him and he never got in a rhythm. But it would great to get him back there.” 

The market leaders came to the fore in the opening race, the Easy Clean Mares Maiden Hurdle, as 2-1 favourite Samba Train, ridden by Áine O'Connor, got the better of Poetic Twist by a neck.

Winning trainer Enda Bolger said: “She saw it out well and she was slick over her hurdles too. She’s a well-bred mare and she’s two bumpers won now and a maiden hurdle. Going forward she’s an exciting mare.” 

Samba Train’s win was the first leg of a double on the day for Bolger that was completed when course specialist Solitary Man justified 6-4 favouritism for Josh Halford in the Thorn Plant Hire Hunters Chase.

“As Del Boy said: ‘We’ve had worse days,’” quipped Bolger before adding: “There’s another one of these in Listowel in three weeks’ time so that will probably be he plan. He’s a lovely, fun horse and that’s his fifth win here.” 

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Midnight Jet was sent off the 5-4 favourite in the Killarney Town Retailers Association Novice Hurdle and duly made all in the hands of Darragh O’Keeffe.

Assistant trainer Robbie Power said: “It was a very professional performance, he stepped forward from his maiden hurdle win at Fairyhouse. On paper, there was plenty of strength in depth to that race. But I’m delighted with the way he jumped and travelled.

“He’ll go for the novice hurdle in Galway next. He’ll jump a fence in time but he loves that nice ground so we’ll have a bit of fun with him over hurdles first.” 

On a good day for Waterford trainers, Burru made a winning start to his second spell at Benny Crowley’s Kilmeaden base when landing the Killarney Oaks Hotel Handicap Hurdle under Michael Kenneally.

Crowley said of the 11-2 victor: “He’s a horse that means a lot to me, he won for me at a time when my father was unwell so he’s a horse close to my heart. Getting in off bottom weight today I did fancy him.” 

Hi Ho Idaho, a good second at Clonmel last month, went one place better in the Park2Travel Maiden Hurdle, the 7-4 favourite showing a good attitude to land the spoils for Tralee-born trainer Cian Collins and jockey Danny Gilligan.

“He’s a lovely horse, he’s improved with every run,” Collins said. “After Clonmel, we said we’d aim for here. They’re all Kerry and Cork owners so it’s brilliant to get a winner here. He’ll keep improving and we’ll probably aim for something at Listowel.” 

One For Gonzo won the Dan Linehan's Handicap Chase for trainer Sean Aherne and jockey Sean O’Keeffe.

Aherne said of the 7-2 winner: “He ran in Down Royal and he turned in like he was going to win. In Thurles, the last day, he turned in down to the last and you’d how far [will he win] but he didn’t follow through. But it was nice today as he had something to take him to the finish line. I was a bit anxious going two and a half miles but he travelled fierce well.” 

Airds Moss crowned a good day for punters when becoming the fifth winning favourite of the day. The Harry Kelly-trained 1-2 shot ran out a smooth winner of the bumper in the hands of Anna McGuinness.

Meanwhile in Roscommon, Joseph O’Brien maintained his red-hot form with a terrific treble that was sparked by Dancing Destiny’s win in the opening race, the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden.

Substance provided leg two in the second division of the Athlone Handicap before even-money favourite Nil Bua Gan Dua completed the Carriganóg hat-trick by scoring in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race.