Brave Out (Denis O'Regan) jumps the last ahead of Berry Des Aulmes© Photo Healy Racing
On an afternoon when John Kiely was presented with the 2016 Special Recognition Award at Tramore, he marked the occasion with a winner as Brave Out took the 2017 Tramore Annual Badge - Great Gift For Christmas Maiden Hurdle in convincing fashion.
The Beneficial gelding travelled smoothly on the heels of the leaders, and rider Denis O'Regan made his move after the penultimate flight.
The 13/2 chance (from 8/1) cruised through between horses to lead before the last, and stayed on well on the run-in to beat Berry Des Aulmes by three and a half lengths. Ballyegan Hero was another two and a half lengths away in third, while the gambled-on 13/8 favourite Nerual was prominent throughout but could find no extra from before the last to finish fourth.
The unraced Willie Mullins-trained gelding Torrent Des Mottes (lame) was a notable absentee.
Kiely said, "I'm pleased with that, it's nice to win a local race. He always promised that he'd stay and I was hoping the ground would be as wet as it was, and it worked. He will go for a handicap now and we'll see how he gets on.
"He'll jump a fence in time. He is owned by Conor Lannen from Dungarvan, who has a fruit and vegetable business in the town."
Kiely was presented with the 2016 Special Recognition award following a stellar year which included Carlingford Lough landing the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown for the second successive year and the J P McManus-owned gelding followed up in the Bibby Financial Services Punchestown Gold Cup.
The Dungarvan trainer has been a tremendous supporter of the track at Tramore over many years, and in the past provided the horse ambulance which he also drove himself.
(DM & AM)
