Skontonovski a fitting winner for McGuinness

A difficult day for the McGuinness family ended on a somewhat brighter note when Skontonovski landed the concluding Chill & Grill Handicap at Fairyhouse.

A six-time winner on the all-weather, the seven-year-old son of Harbour Watch was recording a third career success on turf.

Held up in mid division by Cian MacRedmond, as Goldmoyne set the fractions out in front, Skontonovski made stylish headway on the rail to go third two furlongs out.

Ridden to lead over a furlong from home, the gelding stayed on strongly to run out a one-and-a-quarter length winner.

Winning rider Cian MacRedmond said: “They jumped and went quite hard in front. I had a lovely position and to be fair horses just fell away in front of me.

“This is a great lift for the yard, as everyone knows Ado lost his brother Johnnie during the week and he was buried today.

“He was a great supporter of the game, he was always at the race meetings and he enjoyed his horses as well as his farming.

“This one is dedicated to him.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.