Winner Lisa O'Neill and Wrath Of Titans chase down Rightville Boy and Ryan Treacy© Photo Healy Racing
We had to wait a long time for a lady rider to win the Kerry National and then Katie Walsh did it two years ago on Your Busy Lisa O'Neill brilliantly repeated the feat today on the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained Wrath Of Titans in the Guinness-sponsored Listowel highlight.
Paddy Neville's local hope Rightville Boy ran a great race under Ryan Treacy, and with a couple of good leaps over the final two fences it looked like he might secure a famous win.
Galway Plate hero Lord Scoundrel was still there with his chance when falling at the second last, but Gigginstown and Elliott had strong representation and Wrath Of Titans was soon looking very threatening.
There was simply no holding the nicely backed 7/1 victor from the last, and he powered home to beat the gallant Rightville Boy by five lengths.
English raider Gas Line Boy was always up there in the pace making role and to his credit he kept going to be a further eight lengths back in third.
"It's great for myself but for Gordon also. He was very good to give me the ride and Mr O'Leary as well," said Ms O'Neill (28) from Garristown, County Dublin.
"The horse did everything I wanted him to do - he travelled very well and jumped very sweet.
"I was trying to hold on to him for as long as I could - Gordon told me to do that - it worked out the way he was thinking. He knew exactly what the horse wanted so I just followed what he told me.
"Katie Walsh did it a couple of years ago so fair play to her. We all want to live up to her and Nina (Carberry).
"I've ridden six point-to-point winners but that's my first winner over fences against professionals. I'm absolutely delighted, and it's great to ride such a big winner."
A second Kerry National for Gigginstown after Rogue Angel last year, and a first for Elliott, prompted the latter to say: "Lisa gave him a real peach of a ride. I'm thrilled for her and it's great to repay her a bit for all the work she does.
"She does some pre-training for me, she works in the office, she will lead one up at the races and she can drive them to the races as well.
"She's a really hard worker and a big part of our team. I'd no worries about giving her the ride.
"We decided to go for this race with him about a month ago. He was struggling to get in and I took a chance and didn't run the other day.
"Lord Scoundrel (fell two out) was running a big race and he would have definitely stayed going. Hopefully he's okay and he can have another day."
K.C. Sexton, rider of Shadow Catcher (GB) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and was pulled up.
M.A. Enright, rider of Shesaportrait trained by Patrick Neville, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stood at the start and lost a lot of ground.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr.P.L.Malone, that B.J. Cooper, rider of Folsom Blue weighed in 1.6lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr.P.L.Malone, that R.P. Treacy, rider of Rightville Boy, weighed in 1.8lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day.
(AM & EM)
