New Year Honours (cheekpieces) leads home No Niki No and Yokkell© Photo Healy Racing
New Year Honours completed a cross-card double for Gordon Elliott as she came from off the pace to land the RiverRidge Royale Fillies Handicap.
Disappointing of late, the Nathaniel five-year-old proved easy-to-back this evening and was returned a 13/2 chance from 7/2 early.
Settled towards rear by Keithen Kennedy, the 74-rated bay took closer order on the outer with three-furlongs left to race, improving into third early in the straight.
Ridden to challenge over a furlong from home, the now three-time winner soon shot to the front and extended her advantage inside the final furlong, coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.
The front-running No Niki No (9/2) filled the runner-up spot under Chris Hayes for Eoghan O'Neill, while Yokkell (13/2 from 11s) was half-a-length away in third.
Sent to post the 11/4 favourite, Fairytale Princess could only manage a disappointing fifth.
"Loads of people supporting me, Gordon has been very good to me and Kevin (O'Ryan) my agent is getting me plenty of rides," Kennedy commented.
"Kevin knows what he is at - he has been at it a long time, so I just leave him at it.
"They went a nice, good gallop and she relaxed in behind for me lovely. Picked them off nicely when I asked her to. She's a nice mare.
"I think she has plenty of ability and she lengthened away nicely when she was asked."
Elliott was earlier on the mark at Killarney with Wudya
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fiver Friday trained by Paul Traynor, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
R. Whearty, rider of Fiver Friday, trained by Paul Traynor, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fairytale Princess, trained by G.M.Lyons, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on the right fore post race.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
