Celtic Artisan sees it out well

Just the five hoses went to post for the Kerry Group Hurdle for three-year-olds in Listowel, but they were evenly matched as all held chances before Ken Condon’s Celtic Artisan prevailed.

Only three lengths separated the field on the home turn as they raced towards the second last. At this stage Celtic Artisan was last, but still in with every chance.

Coming to the final hurdle in this two mile contest Mark Enright got a lovely run between horses and a good jump from his charge saw him land in the lead from Credulous He stayed on well to hold that rival by half a length at 10/1.

The runner-up attracted plenty of money this morning from 10/1 to 15/2. His SP was 6/1.

Mark Enright said: “He had no light early on and had a little look around, but once we started to race with a circuit to go I couldn’t have been happier with him.

“The little hustle and bustle seemed to help him. He quickened up well and he’s a nice horse.”

Celtic Artisan was the most experienced horse over hurdles in this race with two previous runs which yielded a best finish of third.

Willie Mullins supplied the 2/5 favourite Verawal who finished third, beaten two lengths by the winner.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes