Kernoff comes an easy winner in front of the grandstand at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Kernoff ran out an easy winner of the Dundalk – Light Up Your Night Handicap, providing Mick Halford and Shane Foley with an opening race double (won the first with Zunera .
Available at 10/3 in a place this morning the three-old son of Excellent Art opened on-course at just 2/1 before going off the clear 7/4 favourite.
Settled in mid-division on the rail he was fourth as they entered the straight and was pushed along from the two furlong pole.
He hit the front just over a furlong out and kept on strongly from there to score easily by four and a half lengths. Kiss The Stars (5/1) finished second under Chris Hayes for Tom McCourt while Harry Trotter (20/1) was a short head back in third under Connor King for David Marnane.
Mick Halford said afterwards: "He's just learning to sprint now. Before he was jumping out and they were gone and he was flying home in his races.
"It's a specialised trip. He's only learning now how to jump, travel, hold his place and quicken whereas he was falling out of the stalls and taking forever to warm up.
"Shane said he travelled comfortably today. He's getting better and learning his job.
"We'll see what the handicapper does. I said to the owner earlier in the year we might consider Dubai and if he hits 100 we might bring him.
"He'd love the sun on his back, the fast ground and he is an improver."
STEWARDS REPORTS
C.T. Keane, rider of Tennessee Wildcat trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was unable to get a clear run inside the final furlong.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
