Big Win for Kelly and Thornton

'Dusty' Sheehy scored with the frustrating Holly Tree at Roscommon last evening and a former inmate of his yard that also never really fulfilled his huge early potential, Kahuna gained a big success in the Guinness Sligo Handicap Hurdle for his new trainer, Ballinasloe-based Muredach Kelly.

Andrew Thornton, the 7Ib claimer that has made such a name for himself in recent weeks, got to the front on the eleven-year-old before the third, the pair were clear at the next, the 14/1 shot keeping up the gallop under pressure from before the last to see off Berkerys Treasure by twelve lengths.

This was Thornton's fifth winner, his first coming on Arondo on July 11th. All his success until now had been for Mervyn Torrens. The 27-year-old rode a lot of winners pony racing and spent a year with Howard Johnson in Durham, partnering a couple of placed horses. The Navan jockey has Rory Tierney as his agent.

Meanwhile Kelly said of Kahuna, his first winner, "He'll have a little bit of a break and then come back for a few nice chases." (EM)