Donal Murphy
Well-bred Jazz wins easily under Corbett
Jazz Mine jumps the last under Eamonn Corbett
© Photo Healy Racing
Jazz Mine ran out a very easy winner of the opener at Killarney this afternoon, the Killarney Grand Live Music Mares Maiden Hurdle, landing some nice bets in the process.
Without a win in sixteen starts, and well-beaten on her last two efforts at Clonmel and Wexford respectively, the John Longeran trained eight-year-old opened on-course at 25/1 before going off a 14/1 chance in the colours of owner/breeder John O'Mahony
Settled in mid-division on the outer by Eamonn Corbett, the daughter of Presenting, who is a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Jazz Messenger, took closer order from five out.
She travelled strongly to lead at the third last, and soon went clear, keeping on strongly to score by fourteen lengths. Agusta Gold returned the 13/8 favourite from an opening show of 5/4 on-course, finished second under Danny Mullins for his mother Mags, while 66/1 chance Drogue Douce was another three lengths back in third with Conor McNamara aboard for his father Eric. Dani Theatre was still in with claims when falling three out.
Lonergan, who recorded his first success at Tramore on New Year's Day, wasn't present for the win, but owner O'Mahony said: "We had to have patience with her and she ran a good race at Clonmel last year when she was third and we thought we were on the way this year but she took a bit of getting going.
"She is a nice filly and is well bred and is a half-sister to Jazz Messenger and is related to Fitzhenry.
"Getting her to win was the main job and today was a big day!"
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes