Lavery thrilled with progressive Sea Appeal

The concluding Ring Of Kerry 3-y-o Handicap was won in good style by the topweight Sea Appeal at odds of 7/1.

Robbie Colgan sat second on the Fastnet Rock gelding before sending him on a quarter of a mile from the finish.

Clear passing the furlong marker, Sea Appeal galloped on strongly to win by three and three quarter lengths.

Four horses passed the post almost line abreast for minor honours, and in the end the judge couldn’t split Brehon Star (7/2 fav) and Ben Siegel (14/1) who dead-heated for second.

The winner was getting off the mark on his third start in handicaps and was going one better than at Limerick last month.

Winning trainer Sheila Lavery said: "Fair dues to the owners, my brother John and Dave McLoughlin own him in partnership, as he was entered for the July Sales but Rory Cleary got off him the last day and said it would take a lot to beat him the next time.

"He is just progressing all the time, and is the most gorgeous, big, honest, galloping horse horse but he had a gear out there. He is just getting better and we're thrilled.

"If he keeps progressing, my gosh you could have some fun with him on the Flat but I don't know where he'll end up. I'm delighted with him."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes