Tom Weekes
De Bromhead and Blackmore bag more
Winner Benruben (2) and Fan De Blues jump the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore completed doubles at Killarney today as Benruben survived a stewards' enquiry before landing the Play Lotto BoyleSports App Beginners Chase.
The son of Beneficial was a Leoparstown Christmas Festival bumper winner for retired trainer John Nicholson in 2018 and was subsequently placed in a Grade 3 chase in 2019. Today he got off the mark on his second start for De Bromhead, which was also his sixth chase outing.
Leader and 4/5 favourite Fan De Blues surrendered his advantage with an untidy jump at the second last, leaving Benruben (7/1) to edge ahead approaching the last.
Blackmore and Benruben kept things tight for Fan De Blues jumping the final fence, the incident which necessitated the subsequent enquiry, and at the line Benruben maintained his gallop for a half length win.
De Bromhead and Blackmore were earlier successful with Arthur Fonzarelli in the opener and following the double, the winning jockey said “that's only his second run for Henry and he came on a lot from his first run in Tipperary.
“He won a bumper and had Conflated and Mt Leinster behind him then, so has plenty ability and is great to get a first chase win.”