Donal Murphy
Quest takes the feature for Rogers & Shortall
Giant's Quest clears the last with Our Man Zebo in second
© Photo Healy Racing
After winning on the level at Dundalk on Saturday Giant’s Quest quickly followed up over hurdles at Killarney this evening as he took the feature race on the card, the Larkins Pub & Restaurant Miltown Handicap Hurdle.
The Harry Rogers trained gelding was available at 9/1 in a place last night, opening on-course at 11/2, touching 6's, before going off at 5/1.
Ridden by Shane Shortall he was settled in mid-division and was closer in sixth after halfway.
He improved to challenge at the third last and soon hit the front, keeping on well when ridden after two out, going on to score by two lengths at the line. Our Man Zebo who was backed from 6/1 to 9/2 on-course, ran a fine race to finish second under Barry Geraghty for Michael Hourigan while Quarton (4/1fav) kept on to take third a further five lengths back under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott. Sizing Machine (10/1) fell heavily at the fifth flight and brought down both Acapulco Gold (10/1) and Fethard Player (8/1).
Harry Rogers said afterwards: "Shane gave him a good ride and he jumped well for him.
"He keeps going and ideally he would like three miles. It is good ground there today but on even quicker ground he is better.
"He could go to Galway for the amateur handicap (Monday evening feature) or the two mile five furlong hurdle on the Saturday but it depends on the ground.
"The Irish Cesarewitch is the main plan if he can get good ground. We could consider the English Cesarewitch where there might be a better chance of getting his ground."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Cara's Oscar trained by C.A.Murphy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race
Additional reporting by Alan Magee