Brave approach pays off for McCullagh in the Birdcatcher on Kay

Niall McCullagh engineered a passage through to get there late to claim the Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap at Naas aboard Colfer Kay It was a first win in the race for the veteran Carlow native after many attempts.

Ken Condon trains the 15/2 victor for owner/breeder Vincent Kelly and on her first time outside of maiden company the Pride Of Dubai filly backed up a Navan success from sixteen days back.

Eventual second Mickey The Steel looked good when travelling well in fourth two furlongs out, and he struck the front over a furlong out.

Colfer Kay meanwhile raced in mid-division, and she was pushed along two furlongs out.

Soon ridden, the Condon runner was fifth a furlong out, and she made headway into third inside the final furlong.

Staying on well to lead in the last strides Colfer Kay touched off Mickey The Steel by a head with just a neck to Wood Ranger in third.

McCullagh reported: “I didn’t think she was a glutton to get the six at Navan so I said to Ken that I’d ride her a bit braver today and at the furlong pole I was thinking oops!

“In fairness to her when she got a bit of room she knuckled down and answered every call. She’s got on top at the line.

“She’s honest and hardy, and typical of one of Ken’s.”

Condon was of course third at the Breeders’ Cup last night in Keeneland with Miss Amulet.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Flying Visit trained by J. S. Bolger, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(AM & EM)