Star provides McKenna with birthday success

Pat McKenna recorded a winner on his birthday, as his Guiding Star took the first division of the Family Fun Day At Fairyhouse July 23rd Handicap.

Previously trained by Henry Candy and Johnny Murtagh, the daughter of Iffraaj was sold for E110,000 as a yearling in 2015, but went for just for just E2,500 at Goffs in February, and made her debut for McKenna at Dundalk later that month.

She was third on her last two starts at Ayr and Carlisle respectively, and was sent off a 9/1 chance today under Chris Hayes.

Settled behind the leaders, she was pushed along in third from the two furlong pole, and was soon ridden to challenge.

She edged to the front with a furlong left to race, and kept on well from there to score by two and three parts of a length. Goodnite Irina (12/1) ran on nicely to take second under Wayne Lordan for Pat Martin, while Little Miss Willow (16/1) was another half a length back in third with Rory Cleary in the saddle for Brendan Duke. Zeeyalater (14s to 12s) completed the placings for Sheila Lavery and Gary Carroll, while the 2/1 favourite (from 9/2 last night and from 5/2 on-course) Brave Display was a further neck back in fifth.

McKenna, who trains in Tyrone and is an uncle of fellow trainer Nicole McKenna, said afterwards: "She was entitled to win as she has been showing up well and is improving. It's my birthday today so it's great to get a winner.

"She was bought for just E2,500 by James Mescall at Goffs in February."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee