There were emotional scenes in the winners enclosure after the Donal O'Keeffe Memorial Handicap Chase at Cork on Saturday when Bregogue defied top-weight.
The nine-year-old gelding, trained under permit by the recently deceased O'Keeffe's daughter Helen, was left in front after three out to beat Megamar by three and a half lengths. 'I'm absolutely delighted, and my heart was thumping all the way through the race,' said Ms O'Keeffe, who only renewed her licence last week.
'I've had a good bit of success in point-to-points but that's my first winner under rules. He's a much stronger horse this year, and the plan now is to aim him at the Galway Plate with a just one or two runs before that,' added Ms O'Keeffe.
The featured Murphys Handicap Hurdle also went to the top-weight as Endless Magic struck the front two out under Norman Williamson to beat Alpha Eight by three lengths. 'Every time I've run him he's been lame, and it's been very hard to get an even programme going. It was easier for him to carry the weight on this ground, and he will go chasing soon in the new season,' said trainer Edward O'Grady.
Curragh trainer Frank Ennis has a speedy sort on his hands as Miss Childrey made virtually all for an impressive success in the two-year-old fillies maiden. Seamus Heffernan's mount hogged the valuable stands side rail from the stalls, and drew clear in the final furlong to beat the Aidan O'Brien-trained newcomer Follow by two and a half lengths.
'She's a nice filly, and I think she will get a bit further. We brought her over to Lingfield last month and, after preparing her for two weeks on the all-weather, got balloted out of the first two-year-old race there,' said Ennis of the 36,000 euro Goffs yearling purchase.
Fly Haia gave trainer Liz Doyle a 'pleasant surprise' when finishing strongly on the far side under Catherine Gannon to beat Neeze by two lengths in the sprint handicap. 'She has been working nicely at home but I was worried that the five furlongs might be a bit short. The ground seems to make no difference as she won on the soft last year,' said Miss Doyle.
Alan Magee
