Hand Over Fist (Mike O'Connor) beats Ceanndana (Keith Donoghue)© Photo Healy Racing
It was certainly an opportune time for Hand Over Fist to come back to form, delivering on his initial try outside of beginners company in first-time cheek-pieces in the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan.
Hat-trick seeker Ceanndana made a bold bid but he could never quite get to the Henry de Bromhead-trained and Mike O'Connor-ridden Hand Over Fist, as the two-time handicap hurdle victor from last summer re-discovered his best on the front end.
The eventual winning margin was a length and three quarters.
"He jumped well and he travelled away fine - it was all pretty straight-forward," commented O'Connor.
"As any horse does it has taken him a couple of runs to find his feet over fences and we'll enjoy today."
C.M. Quirke, rider of Cosmic Blizzard trained by S. Curling, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a noise.
K.C. Sexton, rider of Ardaghs Choice trained by E.Sheehy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount had a look at the chute.
The Raceday Stewards received a report from Mr. A. Ring, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Mr O. McGill, rider of Eagle Terrace (GB), weighed in at 1.1 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he believes a girth was changed after he had weighed out. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and having taken his record into account they cautioned him on this occasion.
(TW & EM)
