Michael Kenneally enjoys 54/1 treble win in Tramore
TRAMORE TREBLE: Spanish Maid and Michael Kenneally win the SETU Students Day April 20th Handicap Steeplechase. Pic: Healy Racing.
Michael Kenneally enjoyed a red-letter day with a 54/1 treble in Tramore, which saw him close the gap on Eoin Staples in the race for the Conditional Jockeys Championship.
Kenneally got off the mark when the Liz Lalor-trained Crohan Lady (9/2) produced a gutsy performance to beat Nirisque in the opening mares maiden hurdle.
He struck again when Tedworth (9/1), owned and trained by Michael Barry near Fermoy, came from off the pace to master Quietrunsthedon by three-quarters of a length in the Anne Valley Walk Handicap Hurdle.
And the Cork rider rounded off a memorable day in the Tramore sunshine when Spanish Main, in the colours of Rory Larkin, cruised to victory in the concluding SETU Students Day April 20th Handicap Chase, readily outpointing front-running chasing debutant Courtbrack Boy.
Spanish Maid, a strong even-money favourite, was also the second leg of a double for her trainer Ross O’Sullivan, who commented; “It was a very limited race, but she’s a grand filly, has plenty of experience and jumps well.
“She’s fine at her own level and is off a nice mark – hopefully, she might win another somewhere.”
Polepatrick (13/8 favourite), having his second runner for Henry de Bromhead. kept local backers happy when landing the Copper Coast Maiden Hurdle, left clear by the last flight exit of nearest pursuer Sea Eagle to score by thirteen lengths.
A first winner de Bromhead has trained for Mrs Paddy Conway, the Laverock gelding was ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, who stated; “He had a nice run in Clonmel on his first run for us and over hurdles. He stepped forward from it and should step forward again.
"He winged the fourth last and third last and I was happy to press on. He’s a big-striding horse and I wasn’t sure how he’d handle going around here. He definitely appreciated the better ground and we’re hoping he’ll continue to mature and progress.”
Trainer Enda Bolger declared; “Kinder ground is a big factor,” after Don’t Tell Jack (Charlie O’Dwyer), in the colours of race-sponsor J P McManus, romped to smooth, sixteen-lengths win over fellow 7/4 joint-favourite Jackmoon in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
He added: “This was a nice race to find for him. He jumps well and is 111 over fences, which is quite attractive. So, we have options for his summer programme.”
Fresh from a double for Gordon Elliott in Ayr on Saturday, Danny Gilligan overcame a slipped saddle and delivered reserve and 9/4 favourite Nettuno Italia with a daring challenge up the inside to foil Aclass, whose rider Jordan Canavan received a 7-day improper riding ban, in the Core Bullion Traders Handicap Chase.
“I’m delighted for his owner-breeder John Place, who’s away in Spain at the moment. It’s great that the horse got in as he wants a bit of soft ground and, with the forecast, it’ll be gone again him soon enough.
"The track wasn’t ideal for him, because he’s so big, but it’s lovely to win. He’ll be a grand three-mile chaser and got a great ride from Danny.”
