Kite flies high in National

GOLDEN Kite landed the €50,000 Gigginstown House Midland National at Kilbeggan last night, getting the better of Decoy Daddy on the run-in after the last fence fall of narrow leader Classic Frontier and then surviving a Stewards Enquiry.

Trained by Adrian Maguire and partnered by Brian O’Connell, 11/2 joint-favourite Golden Kite and Decoy Daddy were challenging the other joint-favourite, Charles Byrnes’ Classic Frontier, when Andrew McNamara’s mount crashed on landing at the final obstacle.

Soon in front, Golden Kite edged right, slightly hampering the runner-up before going on to score by a length and a half, prompting a delighted Maguire to declare: “He’s been a great servant and is a real gentleman of a horse, just like his owner. Brian gave him a great ride.