On My Own leads as Festival Opera makes a mistake at the last© Photo Healy Racing
On My Own rallied under Luke Dempsey to get his head in front in the 18-runner Kells Handicap Hurdle at Navan.
Philip Fenton’s 10-year-old gelding led throughout, but was passed by Festival Opera after three out. The latter wasn’t for passing though as he regained a slight lead at the second last. The crucial moment in the race came at the last obstacle where Festival Opera blundered when right in contention. Dempsey was able to keep On My Own up to his work and the pair stayed on to score by three parts of a length at 8/1.
Festival Opera was gambled on this morning from 20/1 to 12/1 and came in second at 10/1 with Paul Townend on board. The remaining places were occupied by the staying on Razia (6/1), who was nearest at the finish in third at 6/1. He was half a length off Festival Opera. Battling Boru took fourth at 8/1.
“He had a wind-op in the first week of June and it's genuinely helped him,” Philip Fenton said.
“He'll go for another handicap possibly at Listowel as the lads are from there. He'll possibly run in a novice chase when the handicapper gets him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
