Sharps Choice and Niall Kelly© Photo Healy Racing
Niall Kelly would quite possibly have won on the expensive to follow Sharps Choice if he hadn't got unseated off him at the last at Punchestown in May. Following on from a victory at Clonmel yesterday Kelly got some compensation off the Montmartre gelding in the Pat Doyle Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan this evening.
A danger was elimated when favourite Felix Mendelssohn made a right mess of the second last, and himself and Shane Shortall went their separate ways.
Enjoying himself up front Sharps Choice might have been difficult to stop in any case and at the line Willie Mullins' charge had nine and a half lengths to spare over King's War
"He was a shade unlucky once or twice. It was great for Niall for his turn to come around again on him," said Mullins.
"He owed him one after Punchestown so it was good for both horse and rider. Now he's got his head in front he might get the hang of it.
"I think we'll keep him on the go. Probably I want to keep him to that trip and even a bit more."
The Stewards interviewed M.F. Mooney, rider of King's War, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found M.F. Mooney to be in breach of regulation 10.3 (g) in that he used his whip with his arm above shoulder height.
Having considered his previous record in this regard, the Stewards' suspended M.F. Mooney for 3 racedays.
Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, trainer of Knightstone, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge was found to have mucous in his trachea on endoscopic examination post race.
(GC & EM)
