Shield has rivals well covered

Shield made it two wins over hurdles this term, and four career victories in total, when staying on well on the run-in to justify favouritism in the Dawn Omega Milk Novice Hurdle at Killarney.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained gelding, who was also first past the post at Wexford last month only to be disqualified after weighing in 8lb light (connections forgot a lead cloth when saddling up), showed a nice turn of foot in the closing stages under Mark Walsh.

The J P McManus-owned 11/4 chance jumped to the front at the last and had four lengths to spare over Mumbo Bay with The Visitor a further length and a quarter away in third.

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said, “He jumped well and loves the ground. Mark was keen not to go on with him today as he saw too much daylight at Bellewstown.

“We were thinking of going chasing and then this race came up. He will go chasing and he jumps well.”