Mindsmadeup brings up plenty of bets in Kilbeggan

Mindsmadeup (11/2) overcame an absence to take the Follow Kilbeggan On Twitter Handicap Hurdle for Matthew Smith and Keith Donoghue.

Donoghue sent him through between horses to grab the initiative racing to the final quarter of a mile.

He was ridden off the home turn to go and win his race, however, the former leader Kilkishen wasn't done with and renewed his challenge at the last obstacle.

Mindsmadeup jumped it better than Kilkishen, though, and was driven out to prevail by two and a half lengths from the 5/1 favourite. Our Boy Boru was a nose behind the runner-up at 9/1 having been as big as 20/1 this morning.

Keith Donoghue said: “I was in a good position the whole way and there was plenty of pace on.

“I sat in a pocket behind the leaders. When we jumped the second last I had to rush him up a little bit as I didn't want to get stuck in behind.

“I probably got him going a little bit too soon but thankfully he kept going well to the line.

“He can be a little bit awkward to jump and you have to know him. You can't really ask him and I could see from a long way going down to the last there was no stride.

“Thankfully he got over it quick enough and got going again.

“That's my first time to ride him in a race but I've ridden him plenty of work. Matthew is a brilliant trainer for getting those horses back to form. It's brilliant for him to get a winner as he's had plenty of seconds.”

Mindsmadeup had been off since Leopardstown at Christmas. He traded as big as 20/1 earlier in the day for this contest.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson