Celebrating Ethel won her second start in handicap company for trainer Andrew Kinirons. © Photo Healy Racing
Celebrating Ethel overcame topweight to run out a game winner of the second division of the Human League Playing Live After Racing Handicap at Leopardstown.
The Andrew Kinirons trained filly was making just her second start in handicap company having shaped with a degree of promise when fourth on her initial attempt at Ballinrobe last time.
Always to the fore under Luke McAteer, the four-year-old tracked the strong early pace in third, before delivering a challenge to leader Smaoineamh Sile at the furlong pole.
Gradually wearing that one down inside the final furlong, the daughter of Gleneagles had enough in reserve to hold the late run of Morning Approach
“We're delighted with that and Luke gave her a brilliant ride,” said Kinirons.
“It was her first handicap the last day and he taught her plenty, she knew her job today.
“The big galloping track probably suits her and we dropped her back in trip. Luke said the last day that this was probably her trip and she might even go back to a mile.
“She's a game filly and she'll improve a lot from that again.
“She's named after a special woman as well, so it's great. She's named after Tom Stanley's mother Ethel, who died, so it's great for Tom and his father to see her winning today.
“Tom is friendly with the owner, Jim Browne, and he's in on a few horses with him. They breed them.
“It's great to have another winner for the Brownes as they are big supporters of ours.
“We've a good few coming up. I wasn't that happy with my horses early in the season, we had some rapeseed near us. Hopefully now they are coming into form.
“She's lightly raced and she's learning on the job. We fancied her tonight, Luke knew her from the last day.
“She's versatile and we'll pick something similar for her now. We'll have a bit of fun with her.
“In time she might even jump a hurdle. She ran in a bumper first time but she's sharpened up every time since. She got caught in heavy ground in the bumper.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
