Fairytale winner for Kidd on a golden evening for Harrington

Jungle Cove (20/1) was a winner on his first ever ride for 10lb claimer Dylan Kidd as Jessica Harrington’s five-year-old landed the 100k Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Nasrullah' Handicap.

After three winners at Limerick and Ha Ha Ha rsquo;s earlier victory here, it continued a golden evening for Harrington who owns the successful Mastercraftsman gelding into the bargain.

Kidd, who graduated from the RACE apprentice school just last week, dropped his mount in towards the rear of the field on the rail and never left the inner.

A remarkably big gap opened up for him early in the straight and his mount made good headway to challenge last year’s winner Mosala and Casanova a furlong out.

Kidd gave his mount just one smack and it was hands and heels otherwise as his mount led 100 yards out and stayed on well to score by three parts of a length. Casanova just shaded second place by a nose from Mosala.

“It's not a bad night! He's a brilliant horse, he's my lead horse and he works like a group horse,” said Harrington.

“He gave him a great ride, full of confidence, stuck to the inside. He didn't interfere with him, when proper jockeys get on him they kind of bully him and he hates it.

“He loved going around there thinking he was in charge. It's a nice pot for him to win.

“It's brilliant for his first ride and he'll be spoilt forever now!

“He came to me from RACE and has been with me all winter. He's a super worker.”

Kidd (16) from Trim added: “I can't believe it and the fact that it's a premier handicap is just unbelievable.

“I'd like to thank Mrs Harrington and everyone in the yard as they've been a big help to me. I've learned a lot from all the lads in the yard, Shane (Foley), Scott (McCullagh) and Tom (Madden).

“Leighton (Aspell) has been a big help to me (in RACE). Mrs Harrington just told me to enjoy it and make the most of it.”

Quotes from Gary Carson