The Dell booked his ticket for the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel later this month following a hard-earned victory in the featured Smirnoff Handicap Chase at Galway yesterday.
The Frances Crowley-trained gelding was reappearing after a seven month lay-off but belied any worries about his fitness when respoding gamely to a strong drive from Ruby Walsh to touch off Frostbitten in the final strides. 'I knew he was quite fit as he has done alot of work at home but the main thing was to get around safely today,' said Ms Crowley, who also has Moscow Express and Colm's Rock in the Listowel showpiece.
The Piltown trainer later completed a mixed double when Eight Woods swooped late under Pat Smullen to beat Per Amore by a neck in the Goffs Race for two-year-olds. The well-backed evens favourite Galanta lost considerable ground on leaving the starting stalls. Kevin Manning's mount made steady headway to get on terms with the leaders approaching the home turn but could soon find no extra finishing fifth.
Cois Cuain took a walk in the market before the seven furlong Galway City Vintners EBF Race but belied the lack of confidence in this four runner affair by heading Topsy Morning at the furlong pole to score by four lengths. 'She found a mile too far at Tralee last time, and Niall (McCullagh) said the blinkers helped her to concentrate,' said John Oxx's assistant Jimmy O'Neill. He added: 'We will probably try to get her some black type in a seven furlong Listed race.'
Paul Madden partnered his first winner when Knockdoo led after two out to beat Bayling by a length and a half in the Cunningham Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle.
The 18-year-old Cork rider has been attached to successful trainer Francis Flood's yard for the past two years.
