Poet completes clean sweep for favourites

The Andrew McNamara junior trained Golden Poet made it a clean sweep for the favourites at Kilbeggan, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the bumper, the Racing Again July 15th INH Flat Race.

A faller on his debut over hurdles at the course in April, the four-year-old son of Urban Poet was a good third to Belle Helene on his next start at Sligo.

Sent off the 6/5 favourite this evening he was settled in second by Katie Walsh, as Risk It All attempted to make all.

The winner was pushed along to lead over a furlong out, and he kept on well inside the final furlong, going on to score easily by six lengths. Bensachuine (8/1) kept on to take second under Paul Cawley for Denis Hogan, while Risk It All (20/1) was a head back in third under James O'Sullivan for Thomas James.

McNamara, who was recording his second win in the training ranks, said afterwards: "He was schooling brilliantly but turned over here at the first, first time out. It was a good run in Sligo although he was a little free.

"He settled nicely for Katie today and had a lovely position. He won well at the end.

"We'll possibly look for a winners bumper and a maiden hurdle will be on the agenda before long.

"A couple of local lads own him (the DPOJ Partnership). They are from the Tullamore area and they're also involved with the stallion Urban Poet (stands in Gurteen Stud, Tullamore).

"He was sick for a while and wouldn't eat for a month. He had so many antibiotics that he had no good bacteria left in his stomach and the Equine centre were a great help.

"He stayed 2m 2f in Sligo and is quick enough for two miles. He will get two-and-a-half and maybe further in time."

The earlier races were won by Long Journey Home (7/4fav), Red Giant (15/8jfav), Rolling Revenge (7/2fav), Supreme Vinnie (7/2jfav), Tiger Roll (7/4fav) and Glenwood Forever (10/3fav).

STEWARDS REPORT

Mr J.J. Codd, rider of Birnam Wood (FR) trained by Eoin Griffin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel during this race.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson