Kelly's Birr strikes on debut for Elliott Kelly's Birr made the breakthrough on her debut for Gordon Elliott, as she got up in the closing stages to take the Randox Handicap Hurdle. Previously trained by John Ryan and placed twice from 11 starts, the Yeats bay was sent off a 13/2 chance this evening with Corey McGivern aboard. Having raced mainly in mid-division in the colours of John Kelly, the six-year-old was pushed along approaching three out and was ridden in fourth away from the last-. She kept on dourly from the furlong pole though, and got to the front inside the final 50 yards, going on to score by a length-and-a-quarter. The hat-trick seeking Mighty Jeremy (3/1f) was prominent throughout and looked set to score jumping the last. However, he couldn't hold off the winner and ultimately had to settle for second under Ian Power. The front pair were five-and-a-half lengths clear of Sheephaven Flyer (11/1) and Rachael Blackmore in third. "She is a lovely filly and when she came to us it was all about getting her settled, and getting her to finish out her race," assistant trainer Lisa O'Neill said. "She settled really well today and Corey has given her a great ride. "It is fantastic for the owners. "She handled that track really well, the main thing was to get her settled. We are happy that she did that and thank God she finished out her race really well." STEWARDS REPORT * The Raceday Stewards ordered the withdrawal of King Ferdinand, trained by Eugene M. O'Sullivan, for failing to present the horse for identification to an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Official in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (i). Additional reporting by Michael Graham
