Steer Clear (Aidan Kelly) races to victory from Ciankyle (Mark Bolger)© Photo Healy Racing
Last seen when being pulled up at this venue when favourite in March, Steer Clear put the record straight today as a 12/1 chance in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase.
The Flemensfirth gelding burst a blood vessel during that spring assignment, the fifth time in a row that he’d failed to deliver as a market-leader.
He’s evidently best fresh though, as here, off a 231 day absence, Steer Clear accounted for well-backed second favourite Whatsinthecorner (6s into 9/2) by two lengths. All The Chimneys ran market-leader Ciankyle out of the placings. The ‘jolly’ looked like he might follow up on his Ballinrobe win from last Saturday, down the straight.
However he had no more to give from before the last and All The Chimneys ended up a length and three quarters off the front pair in third.
Padraig Roche trains Steer Clear for J P McManus and on his first time aboard Aidan Kelly got the seven-year-old off the mark at the 13th time of asking.
Steer Clear was bred by Mrs McManus and Padraig Roche said: "A big thanks to JP (McManus) and Frank (Berry) for giving Aidan the opportunity and that's his third winner. He is with me the whole time and is getting going now and is getting rides.
"He jumped great and he gave him a great ride.
"The horse burst in Clonmel (in March) but is living outside now and I'd say it is a great help to him. That's his level and it is great to get that win with him; we'll look for something similar next."
(TW & EM)
