Kilbree Warrior and Richie Condon win for owner trainer Oliver McKiernan© Photo Healy Racing
Kilbree Warrior was bounced out in front by Richie Condon and was never headed when running out a gutsy winner of the Cawley Furniture Novice Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
A maiden hurdle winner at the track in December when employing similar tactics, the Oliver McKiernan trained mare had been beaten in three subsequent starts but was highly tried on the latest occasion.
Back amongst her own class on this occasion, the eight-year-old did what she does best, jumping and galloping her opposition into submission. At one point before the third last, it looked as though the field may reel her in but once Condon asked for extra the mare responded in kind. Dont Go Yet kept on well to take second place for the race sponsor, with stable companion Petit King back in third.
“She did it well and it's a little bit unexpected,” said Oliver McKiernan.
“She was in great form at home but in that kind of handicap at a festival meeting I wasn't expecting her to win.
“We said we'd do the same thing with her, leap her out and travel and see if she was going to stop. She's happy doing that and so is the jockey so why change.
“I got a great kick out of it. I was saying to the sponsor Eddie 'sure you have two in it and you'll just be taking the cheque out of one pocket and putting it in the other!'.
“We looked at the race and said we'd run her as it's only half an hour down the road. We hadn't thought any further than this and thought this was probably going to be too hot for her, but there you go — it wasn't. We're happy to win it and take the few bob off Eddie.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
