Kelly smiling after 20-1 Carlisle winner
The market suggested the latter, a recent scorer at Ffos Las, would maintain his unbeaten record under Rules, but he was well beaten off when coming to grief at the final flight.
Noel Kelly’s 20-1 shot Jammia powered clear of his rivals in the home straight to score by 29 lengths from River Dragon.
“We fancied him very much and we decided to come over here after he got balloted out in Ireland two or three times,” said Kelly. “We came here thinking 10-1 would be a good price, so when we saw it was 20-1 we were smiling.”
The Cumberland Show 16th July Handicap Chase claimed the limelight for all the wrong reasons after an unfortunate incident led to the race being abandoned midway through.
Top-weight Star Player collapsed on the flat in the early stages of the three-and-a-half mile test with what turned out to be a fatal injury.
It was soon realised that the field would be unable to go around the stricken horse, who had suffered a broken leg, and the remaining jockeys were waved around the 11th fence before the race was stopped.
After a lengthy inquiry the race was declared void and all bets were refunded.
Away from the drama of the abandoned contest, it turned out to be another good day at the office for Donald McCain, who saddled a double.
The trainer’s brace was initiated by 3-1 shot Identity Parade, who struck gold under Jason Maguire in the EBF/Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Mares’ Novices’ Chase.
Stable companion Double Eagle (13-8) made every yard of the running in the Sporting Champions Raceday 20th March Handicap Hurdle, beating off the challenge of Mister Pete by eight lengths.
