Tenacious Glen Kiln registers poignant success in Grade 3 at Naas

It was the performance reminiscent of the great Limestone Lad and Solerina, the two biggest stars produced by the Bowes over the years

Sun, 25 Jan, 2026 - 16:43

John Ryan

In the famous Bowe colours, Glen Kiln produced a gutsy, front-running performance to register a poignant success in the Grade 3 Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad, twin-feature of a Naas card which got the go-ahead following an early-morning inspection.

The seven-year-old, enterprisingly ridden by Brian Hayes, set a strong pace, winged every hurdle and, when tackled by even-money favourite Karbau in the closing stages fought tenaciously to score by a length.

It was the performance reminiscent of the great Limestone Lad and Solerina, the two biggest stars produced by the Bowes over the years.

And Michael Bowe admitted, “It’s doesn’t get any better than this – these days are hard to come by. I’s so emotional. When you breed them and rear them and have days like this, I’m thrilled to bits.”

Glen Kiln is trained for John Bowe by Harry Kelly, who admitted, “It’s thanks to Michael and John for sending me the horses, particularly this fellow. He won his maiden hurdle here the same way – he went a decent gallop and jumped great. And he wasn’t for passing.”

“He has a touch of class and, like all good horses, he’ll go on any ground. Obviously, I’m delighted to win this race for the Bowe family and we’ll discuss plans during the week. He’ll make a really good chaser next year.” Willie Mullins took the other Grade 3 on the card, the Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase with the Paul Townend-ridden grey Argento Boy, highlight of a treble for the champion trainer.

Successful at Punchestown last time, the 5/2 favourite stayed on dourly to get the better of Bossofthebrownies by two and a half lengths, with The Enabler a distant third.

“He kept galloping away,” said David Casey, assistant to Mullins, “Paul feels that extreme distances and that soft ground suit him. He attacks his fences better than he jumped hurdles. He travelled and jumped great and handled the ground well.”

“We have plenty of options open to him, including Cheltenham. All those long-distance, staying races are options, including the Irish National.”

Love Sign D'aunou and Patrick Mullins with Elena Ustinov after winning the Aloga Equestrian (Pro/Am) Flat Race. Pic: Healy Racing

Mullins produced another impressive bumper performer when Love Sign D’aunou, successful in his only point-to-point (Loughanmore last April) made all and bolted-up by no less than twenty-four lengths in the Aloga Equestrian Pro-Am Flat Race.

“He’s big and strong and isn’t flashy at home.,” said Patrick Mullins., “I thought he’d win, but not like that. He has a great temperament, with a high cruising-speed. He’s a relentless galloper and a real three-mile chaser in the making. I’d say the next time you see him will be in Cheltenham.”

The Clusutton team also won the opening Nursery Of Champions 4-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle, not with even-money favourite Mon Creuset (narrow leader when blundering two out before finishing fourth) but with the Danny Mullins-ridden French import Kai Lung, an €80,000 purchase, who made virtually all on his Irish debut.

“It wasn’t the plan to make the running, but he had plenty of experience from the flat,” admitted David Casey, assistant to Mullins, “He can be a bit keen, but he did it well. He was left in front when the other horse made the mistake, but he kept battling.”

Third in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March, Shuttle Diplomacy (Daniel King) opened his hurdling account, at the fourth attempt, when outpointing favourite Arcadian Emperor in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Trainer Tom Cooper stated, “It’s good to have him back. There’s a mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree and it’s beginning to show. I’d say we’ll rock up to Cheltenham again – the ‘Turners’ would look the obvious race for him.”

Formerly with James Dullea and having his first run for Terence O’Brien, Rusheen (Phillip Enright) recorded his first win over fences when making virtually all and toughing it out to land the Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Novice Handicap Chase at the expense of Three In A Row.

And the Philip Dempsey-trained Matt Connor (Keith Donoghue) ran out a smooth winner of the Albert Bartlett Tripel Crowne Series Qualifier, opening plenty of options, including the series final at the Punchestown festival.