‘Mile has Galway Hurdle in his sights
Oneeightofamile, winner of a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in early May, before sluicing home in a flat handicap at Limerick last month, travelled well for capable 7lbs claimer David Splaine en route to taking up the run after the third last.
Whilst runner up Powerstation still held every chance throughout, Oneeightofamile asserted on the flat to oblige by two and a half lengths with the favourite Won In The Dark a further half length adrift in third, but Sabrina Harty’s charge didn’t aid his cause by erring at both the third last and also the final flight.
“I thought this fellow was gone a little high in the handicap (at 138). He’s in the Galway Hurdle and we will see how he comes out of this race” remarked trainer Kiely of Oneeightofamile, owned by the Plan Zee Syndicate from Tramore.
Kiely completed a double when Blossom Gate came home as she pleased on her debut in the Munster Flat Race. Blossom Gate, owned and bred by Bill Powell-Harris and partnered by his 21-year-old grandson Andrew Latta, went to the head of affairs over a furlong out to beat Ontheground by 10 lengths in the style of a considerably above average sort.
“This is a very game filly that comes from a good dam line and she surprised me a little bit there,” confessed Kiely.
Clondaw Warrior foiled Kiely of a three-timer by beating the Dungarvan handler’s Saint Gervais in the closing Corkracecourse.ie flat race. The Shark Hanlon trained Clondaw Warrior, owned and ridden by Paul McMahon, took up the running before half-way and the former maiden pointer stayed on dourly under hands and heels riding in the closing stages to thwart Saint Gervais by a half-length.
“We will leave this fellow off now and bring him back for the Cheltenham Festival bumper. He has improved a lot lately, there’s more improvement in him and he will be a grand spin for Paul at Cheltenham”, said an ecstatic Hanlon of Clondaw Warrior, whom he bought out of the Colin Bowe stable in April.
Eoin Doyle’s Sixteen Forty Two destroyed the opposition with Shay Barry in the JMR Tiles Maiden Hurdle. Rudi Tuesday went for home after four out, but Sixteen Forty Two effortlessly moved through to assume command at the second last. It was all plain sailing from there with Sixteen Forty Two, a former three time flat winner then easing clear to contain Napa Starr by an unextended five lengths in the colours of trainer Doyle’s mother, Pauline.
