Smart hurdler Aine Dubh converted her good jump form to the Flat at Killarney today where Kevin O'Donnell's mare ran out the well backed winner of the second division of the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Handicap.
Aine Dubh was ridden along by Fran Berry entering the straight and kept up the gallop to wear down her rivals inside the final furlong. O'Donnell's father (of the same name) owns the mare and later reported 'she couldn't go on the firm ground at Tipperary on her last start and the ease in the ground was a big help.'
He added 'she is going to run again here on Thursday under a fixed penalty while she has been allotted 11st in the Galway Hurdle. That will be her final appearance as she is in foal to King's Theatre.'
The market suggested that Spanish John would win the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle and the 8/13 favourite had little difficulty beating He's My Man by seven lengths to win under local jockey Jim Culloty. Winning trainer Pat Hughes later stated 'he likes that good ground but was very careful jumping. The GPT Handicap at Galway is a possibility for him now.'
The Brehon Hotel Chase saw some untidy jumping from the four runners and was eventually won by Dermot Weld's Mutakarrim. David Casey's mount jumped left for much of the race and was ridden along entering the home straight. However he seemed to find an extra gear and was in front at the second last. The winner
Joe Crowley regularly produces good juvenile hurdlers and looks to have another future jump recruit on his hands with Widely Accepted, who won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. The two year old was described by his handler as 'a very big horse who gallops and stays well. He'll make a nice three year old hurdler next year.'
Apprentice jockeys don't come much better than Davy Condon at present and he partnered his eleventh winner of the season on James Burns' Dolphin Bay.in the 1m3f handicap. The Zurich Handicap was won by the narrowest of margins by Michael Grassick's Pine Valley who touched off 9/2 favourite Tipper Road after a thrilling battle from the furlong pole.
Tom Hogan's Rooftop Protest could have stopped for a rest and still have won the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Handicap (division one). Robbie Burke's mount quickened past his rivals over two furlongs from home and was eventually eased down to win by an embarrassingly easy four lengths.
The concluding bumper saw Niall Madden record another win, on board Tim Doyle's newcomer Go Ali Go.
Thomas Weekes.
