Kickham books Galway ticket
The Supreme Leader gelding has never been in love with testing conditions and had to work harder than he might have had to on a better surface.
He was left in front at the fourth when Garden Heaven fell and made the rest.
Quietly supported second favourite Soroka stalked the winner from a fair way out and tried his case over the last two.
But Norman Williamson was always comfortable enough on Kickham and they crossed the line a length and a half to the good. Said trainer, Edward O’Grady: “The plan is the Hurdle at Ballybrit. He can go for a novice any time so, hopefully, will run in the big one.”
Great Compton, trained by Dermot Weld and backed from a little 5-4 to 9-10, found the opposition very much to his liking in the Dawn Fresh Orange Juice Maiden.
This was a poor contest and Great Compton, who tracked the leaders for most of the journey, outclassed his rivals in the closing stages, quickening clear inside the furlong pole to score by four lengths.
Pat Smullen, riding his 34th winner of the campaign, said: “He’s disappointed us a few times, but this was a good opportunity and we grabbed it with both hands.”
Meanwhile, Weld is an America, supervising Evolving Tactics’ challenge for Saturday night’s American Derby at Arlington Park in Chicago.
Later in the afternoon, Smullen brought his tally to 35, including five at Killarney for the week, when partnering Top Star to land the first division of the Murphy Mitsubishi Motors Handicap. Top Star revelled in the ground, shooting ahead a furlong and a half from home and quickly easing seven lengths clear.
Tommy Walker’s Ballygowan Beauty sprang a 20-1 shock in the Dawn Milk Run Handicap, under an excellent drive from Billy Lee. The 11-year-old came from off the pace to power into the lead over a furlong down, beating Callow Lake by five lengths.
Ballygowan Beauty has had many trainers over the years, with Walker quipping: “If I had him when he was younger ’tis Ascot he would be going to.”
Paul Roche, who missed seeing Bridge Hotel win for him on Tuesday night, was again absent as top weight Doc Morrissey did the business for the yard in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle. “They get beat every time he (Paul) comes”, quipped the trainer’s father, John.
Manuka went on coming away from the third last, but Doc Morrissey stayed on strongly for Barry Geraghty to grab the leader close home.
Another top weight, Pisces, ran away with the Kerry Spring Water Handicap Hurdle. Taken to the front by John Sullivan approaching the straight, he had this won two out, soon stretching clear to score by eight lengths. It was a first success for 20-year-old Sullivan, who comes from Kildare town.
Ballygill Heights, runner-up to Miss Congeniality at Bellewstown, redeemed the promise of that effort with a clear-cut success in the Bumper. The capable Denis O’Regan popped her away in front and she maintained a relentless gallop throughout to beat Sandy Owen with plenty in hand.
Trainer, Nick Nelson, who saddled Burntoakboy to win the bumper on Wednesday night, was on the mark again when Kenny’s Pet got to the front inside the furlong pole to take the second section of the Murphy Mitsubishi Motors Handicap.
