Kalkas and Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
Bought from France for 210,000 pounds after a third placing there last December, Kalkas (3/1 into 2/1 second favourite) built on a recent Irish debut fifth placing to land the 'David Fitzgerald - Take It Easee' Maiden Hurdle at Limerick.
Back in trip after his Navan effort 25 days back, the Kapgarde gelding had plenty of use made of him by Rachael Blackmore here, and he was good in the straight to fend off market-leader Rajsalad by two and a half lengths. Something Abouther was eye-catching in third. That 80/1 chance stayed on well to be a length and three parts back.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead’s father Harry provided a very entertaining page of reminisces in the Christmas edition of the Irish Field. After plenty of festive successes, highlighted by A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase, it’s been a good few days all told for the Knockeen outfit.
The Waterford handler has care of Kalkas for Sean and Bernardine Mulryan and Blackmore was impressed, saying: "He is a beautiful horse to ride.
“Derek O'Connor rode him the last day and it was his idea to maybe step him back to two miles so he was spot on. It was tough going out there but he did it nicely."
Following a request from broadcasters, the Stewards granted permission for the following delays: Race 1 2 minutes
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. P. L. Malone, that Mr. T.J. Love, rider of Justbecool had presented himself to weigh out at two pounds overweight, which was not declared at declaration time. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that this was the case. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the overweight on this occasion but were satisfied that Mr. T. J. Love was in breach of Rule 195 (i) and rule 198 (vii) and having considered his record in this regard the Stewards fined Mr. T. J. Love €150 on this occasion.
Owing to the low lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for hurdle number three (the third last) to be omitted from this race.
J.M. Moore, rider of Five Helmets trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise turning in.
At the request of the Stewards, M. Hamill, rider of Magnor Glory trained by Terence O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount raced too keenly in a slowly run race and did not handle todays going.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Magnor Glory, trained by Terence O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis.
(TW & EM)
