Choir Practice and Mark Walsh (left) challenge at the second last © Photo Healy Racing
The opener on Kerry National Day, the McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle (Div I0 went to the Mark Walsh-ridden Choir Practice
Fifth in her first two starts over hurdles, the daughter of Fame and Glory tracked the leaders and was travelling like a winner turning in with two to jump.
Taking over before the final flight, she wasn’t hard pressed to account for Desert Friend (11/2) by a length and a quarter with the 2/1 favourite Moulane West back in third.
The winner is a half-sister to useful British-trained hurdlers Thomas Campbell, Coeur De Lion and Lisp.
Winning trainer Enda Bolger said: “The race broke up a good bit. We had her in Galway at the races but didn’t run her because we thought the ground was too good and then when the race opened up as it did we said we’d let her take her chance. It’s drying out again compared with yesterday.
“She’s a very well-bred filly and it’s great to get that under her belt. She’ll be better on softer ground and hopefully we’ll keep her going over the winter.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
