Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Ceallach makes the breakthrough under Whelan
Donal Murphy
Ceallach makes the breakthrough under Whelan
Ceallach (far side) is ridden out by Ronan Whelan to beat Regally Blonde
© Photo Healy Racing
Ceallach made the breakthrough on his sixth start, as he just got the better of Regally Blonde in the William Hill Racing Radio Maiden.
A good third on his second outing at Navan in March, the Mick Halford trained chestnut had been a bit disappointing since and was sent off a 3-1 chance this afternoon.
Settled in mid-division by Ronan Whelan, he was poised behind the leaders in fourth on the approach to the straight.
He improved into a share of the lead from the two-furlong pole and was soon engaged in a tussle with the aforementioned Regally Blonde.
The Paul Rooney owned victor just got the better of the argument in the closing stages, prevailing by a head.
The runner-up was returned a 6-1 chance under Gary Carroll for Andy Oliver, while newcomer Rockview Consort (16-1) was a further four-and-a-quarter lengths back in third. Rosso Corsa nbsp;was sent off the 5-4 favourite and she faded tamely in the straight, eventually finishing a well-beaten fifth.
Whelan said in the aftermath: "On his homework and his third at Navan, we didn't think it would take this long to get a bracket for him. It wasa good run at Navan.
"He pinged off the surface and felt like a different horse today. He has options as well, he is versatile trip-wise so it is nice to get the job done with him.
"He definitely has a future, particularly on that surface."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham