Liberated Light and John Gleeson blue cap win the William Hill Maiden © Photo Healy Racing
The well known colours of Mrs Claire Gleeson were back in the winners' enclosure following the win of Liberated Light in the concluding William Hill Epic Value(Q.R.) Maiden at Killarney.
Best known for their early association with Cheltenham bumper winner A Dream To Share, the Gleeson family enjoyed another memorable evening with son John, delivering that horses full-brother with a well timed challenge to lead inside the final furlong.
Gleeson had to survive the lead thrust of the slow starting The Banger Doyle but was always just doing enough to last home.
It was only the geldings third run for trainers John & Thomas Kiely, having previously raced for Richard Fahey in Britain. Liberated Light was also crediting them with their first winner since taking out a joint licence.
Thomas Kiely said: "That's great to get the monkey off the back as we had a few which ran well but hit the crossbar. When the (national hunt) season changed we went into a partnership. It's great to get it out of the way and he gave it a brilliant ride - he is riding out of his skin.
"He ran good races in Listowel and Tipperary and we were hoping he'd run well although it looked a competitive race.
"He had been in England with Richard Fahey and lost his way and came to us and seems to be maturing. Hopefully he will improve another bit.
"It is great, as Brian (Gleeson, owner) still has the mare so it is lovely he has won a maiden. A Dream To Share is still out on grass in Martinstown and while we haven't heard, hopefully he will be back before too long - we're looking forward to it."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
