Nas Na Riogh and Rachael Blackmore (nearest) with runner-up My Lyka© Photo Healy Racing
Nas Na Riogh (5/2jf) won by a nose at Killarney today and then survived a stewards' enquiry before being confirmed the winner of the Shire Novice Hurdle, for trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore.
Nas Na Riogh made the running and jumped slightly right on occasions and while narrowly headed by hurdling-debutante My Lyka in the final strides, rallied to re-take the lead at the line.
The pair had a very minor coming-together jumping the final flight and following a stewards' enquiry, the result was allowed stand.
Nas Na Riogh was thus following Park The Giant s earlier-race success to become the second successive sizeable six-year-old gelding by Walk In The Pare to score at the Kerry venue.
De Bromhead's assistant Robbie Power, whose cousin Lucy Latta finished a historic runner-up in yesterday's Badminton Horse Trials, reported “after winning in Tipperary last month we were going to give Nas Na Riogh a break but the ground stayed safe and he seemed in really good form at home.
“Everyone was happy with him and this looked a suitable race so we took a punt and it has paid off.
“A track like this would be sharp enough for him and I'd imagine he'll go on a break now and go novice chasing next year.”
