Peregrine soars in Killarney feature

Peregrine Run got back to winning ways in the feature at Killarney this afternoon, the Grade B MSL Cork Mercedes-Benz Handicap Chase.

The likeable Peter Fahey trained eight-year-old, who is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles, was last seen finishing ninth in the Galway Plate after the ground went against him.

Fitted with blinkers for the first time today, he was sent off at 6/1 under Roger Loughran for owner owner/breeder Vincent Byrne.

Settled in mid-division on the inner, the bay victor was poised behind the leaders from three out, and jumped the last in a share of the lead with The West's Awake (16/1).

Things were still very much in the balance when that Edward O'Grady trained gelding crashed out, leaving Peregrine Run to come home a comfortable five and a half length winner. Kilcarry Bridge (20/1), who won this race twelve months ago, finished second under Donagh Meyler for John Ryan, while Product Of Love (25s to 16s) was another four lengths back in third. Monbeg Chit Chat was sent off the 4/1 favourite, and he finished a disappointing tenth.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to get him back winning," said Fahey.

"He very seldom runs a bad race but things went wrong when we brought him to Ayr and the ground went against him in Galway.

"I think the blinkers worked today and sharpened him up and his jumping was very quick.

"He has had a light campaign and there are lots of options for him; he'll go to the Kerry National if the ground is quick enough but there's also a little hurdle race for him at Down Royal next week.

"We'll see where are with him but he'll be kept busy away as when the ground turns soft we know we are at nothing with him.

"He is owned by a brilliant family, the Byrnes from Offaly so it's great."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Product Of Love, trained by Alan Fleming, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Monbeg Chit Chat (GB), trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

P. Townend, rider of Supreme Vinnie trained by Miss Denise Marie O'Shea, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and was pulled up thereafter.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes