After The Ball caused a colossal shock at Kilbeggan yesterday evening when taking the opening Maiden Hurdle at 100/1 under Shane McDermott. Trained by John O'Shea, the eight-year-old gelding was always prominent before heading Doneany Rocket approaching the last and from there the result was never in doubt.
Punters enjoyed better luck in the second when Favourite Son obliged under a strong drive from Norman Williamson. Edward O'Grady's charge appeared to be in trouble as Hanorla swept into the lead turning for home but Williamson conjured a renewed effort out of the even-money favourite that eventually saw the partnership prevail in the final 100 yards.
Williamson went on to record a 27/1 double after taking the third race aboard the Jogn Bowles-trained Zamnah. The daughter of Naheez (5-7/1) was given a well-judged ride, which saw her make all the running and pull clear in the straight for a comfortable six length victory over Toutankhamon.
'She loves bends and you can't try and dominate her. Hopefully the handicapper won't put her up too much for this', commented the winning trainer John Bowles.
Mark Grant and Pride Of Caulry (7/1) emerged victorious in one of the most thrilling finishes of the day after just getting the better of Nina Carberry and Merulana in lengthy battle.
'He really need summer ground and it was even a bit soft for him out there today', said the winning trainer David Wachman.
Albrighton and Davy Russell took the Beginners chase after putting up a fine display of jumping. Russell's mount was well-positioned throughout and he had his rivals in trouble from the third last.
Capaduff and Barry Geraghty put in a bold front running performance to take the evening's featured event, the Kilbeggan EBF Handicap Chase. The pair made almost every yard of the running and proved too good for both Clonmel's Minella and Paddy The Duke to record a three length success.
100/1 shot After The Ball caused one of the biggest shocks in recent Irish racing history, at Kilbeggan on Friday evening, when taking the opening Horseleap Maiden Hurdle under Shane McDermott. Trained by John O'Shea, the eight-year-old gelding was always prominent before heading Doneany Rocket approaching the last and from there the result was never in doubt. The evens favourite, Five Alive O, was weakening when brought down by Horse Pistol at the third last
Norman Williamson recorded 27/1 in the next two races, although he endured vastly differing passages aboard both his mounts. The 5/2 favourite, Favourite Son, required a strong drive from Williamson to take the second race. Edward O'Grady's charge appeared to be in trouble as Hanorla swept into the lead turning for home but Williamson conjured a renewed effort out of the Linamix gelding that saw the partnership prevail inside the final 100 yards.
The Frank Bowles-trained Zamnah (5-7/1) gave Williamson the seond leg of his double after putting up a resolute front-running performance to secure her second victory in the last week. At the line she had six lengths to spare over Toutankhanon with Max Time back in third.
'She loves bends and you can't try and dominate her. Hopefully the handicapper won't put her up too much for this', commented Bowles.
David Wachman and Mark Grant combined to land the Mullingar Handicap Hurdle at the expense of the father and daughter team of Tommy and Nina Carberry. The 7/1 (from 6/1) shot Pride Of Caulry battled tenaciously to get the better of Merulana, after coming under pressure at the third last. The final flight in this contest had to be omitted after Phar Travel took a fatal fall on the previous circuit.
'He needs good ground and it was even a bit soft for him out there today', said Wachamn who trains the son of Zaffaran for the twenty man Mount Temple Two Racing Syndicate.
Noel Meade rarely leaves Kilbeggan empty-handed and Albrighton provided him with yet another victory at the Co. Westmeath track, after taking the Beginners chase. Davy Russell's mount put up a fine jumping performance and looked the likely winner before entering the straight.
'He had schooled well before falling at Navan last year and we decided to leave fences alone for a while after that. He jumped great today', explained Meade.
Star Performance
After The Ball, who showed that 100/1 winners are far from a thing of the past in Irish racing, after taking the Maiden hurdle.
