Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Klute burns off rivals in Curragh opener
Gary Carson
Klute burns off rivals in Curragh opener
Klute and Colm O'Donoghue beat Guaranteed
© Photo Healy Racing
20/1 shot Klute proved too hot to handle for his rivals in the opener at the Curragh when bouncing out and making all for a successful debut.
The son of Kodiac was asked for an effort passing the two pole and responded well for Colm O'Donoghue.
Jessica Harrington 's charge stuck on well in the closing stages as Guaranteed stayed on to get within half a length at the line.
The winner cost €120,000 as a yearling. His dam is a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Layman and they are from the family of Alydaress, Park Appeal and Cape Cross.
“I'm delighted with him. We've always liked him but it was a very very smart maiden,” said Harrington.
“He's a smashing horse and Colm just said he was galloping along there in front, stayed on and did everything easily. It was very straight-forward.
“He stayed the seven well. Being by Kodiac I thought he mightn't stay but he's fairly stoutly bred on the dam's side. He probably could drop back to six.
“He's in the National Stakes. Other than that we'll just take it step by step. We'll see what happens.”
Colm O’Donoghue added:- “He was only a shell of horse when he came to us in the spring. We just left him alone and let him enjoy his work.
“He’s only been away twice, so you would like to think there is plenty of improvement.
“It has turned out to be a good maiden over the years, so hopefully he can go on and do something.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)