Classy Battlefront charges to eighth consecutive victory
Battlefront (1/5) barely had little more than an exercise stroll with his handler’s daughter Katie as he led from the sixth of the 15 obstacles to beat the Jane Foley-ridden Risk It Paddy by a distance. Battlefront, unbeaten this season, was chalking up his eighth consecutive success of the campaign and he’s surely one of the best pointers we’ve seen over the past decade.
Jamie Codd, who partnered four winners at Kinsale on Saturday evening, kept his legion of supporters happy by teaming up with Gerard Corrigan to collect the first division of the six-year-old geldings’ maiden with Ravens Brook (2/1). Placed on his two previous starts, Ravens Brook led from after the second last to dismiss favourite Ibetellingyoualie by a comprehensive six lengths.
Robert Tyner’s Written Inthestars was still bowling along merrily in front when falling two out with Derek O’Connor in the third instalment of this same contest and his demise enabled Wee Johnny (3/1) to eclipse Boite A Musique by a length in the hands of Barry O’Neill.
Leonard Whitmore’s Kilford, despite jumping continuously to his left, caused an 8/1 upset by gamely making all the running for Jason McKeown to dismiss the consistent Glint Of Steel by a length in the second part of this same contest.
Thomas Gibey, who sent out Lean Na Bearnai to win this year’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, continued his stellar campaign by saddling the Graham Watters-ridden newcomer Balnagon Boy (3/1) to triumph from Saltmills Blackie in the first division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden whilst Guidelines (3/1) landed the second split of this same contest under his trainer Shay Slevin’s talented son JJ.
Mitchelstown amateur Eoin O’Brien brought his seasonal tally to seven by forcing Jennifer Lee’s Dont Be Shortofit (8/1) home in the shadow of the post to deny Supreme Vic in the six-year-old mares’ maiden.
