Kendancer and Philip Byrnes © Photo Healy Racing
Kendancer (11/4f) went unclaimed again today having won consecutive claiming hurdles, adding Sligo's Knocknarea Opportunity race to a similar success at Limerick 12 days ago, for trainer Charles Byrnes and sons, owner Cathal and jockey Philip Byrnes.
Racing mid-division and avoiding three fallers at the third-last-flight, Kendancer improved to lead at the next and was eventually ridden out to beat Broken Ice by 1.25 lengths.
The eight-year-old went unclaimed for €5,000 when scoring at Limerick on May 30 and today — increased in value to €7,000, was similarly unwanted but was the subject of a friendly claim by his owner.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained runner-up Broken Ice was the only horse to change hands, having been claimed by John McConnell for €8,000.
After the race jockey Philip Byrnes had stated “these claimers are great because there is usually plenty of pace to aim at but obviously there was a pace collapse after three out.
“I'd have preferred a lead for longer but got there well and while he really tired after the last, got the job done. There wasn't a whole pile left at the line and he didn't win as easy as the last day.”
Kendancer is declared in a Limerick Flat claimer tomorrow, which would be his fourth consecutive run in such a contest but the jockey added “I wouldn't say he'll run tomorrow.”
Quotes from Mark Nunan
