A Cheltenham 5th followed by a Dundalk winner for McKeon Relegate carried the colours of Paul McKeon into fifth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham yesterday, and tonight the Sligo native saw his black and white silks at the number one spot after Trueba’s performance in the Love Your Mum At The Races 20th & 21st March Handicap. This seven furlong Dundalk event was Trueba’s first outing for 133 days and his trainer Johnny Murtagh stuck first-time visors on the 14/1 shot. Shane B Kelly rode the four-year-old and he chased the leaders and he was third at the halfway stage. Ridden to challenge a furlong and a half out Trueba soon disputed and he gained a narrow lead in the last hundred and fifty yards. From there he kept on well under pressure to beat the dead-heaters, Beleaguerment and Tynamite by half a length. “He was in good order and had a good draw as well. I got caught in behind two and was thinking I’m after making a mess of this but he’s won well in the end," said Kelly. “He had terrible draws last year. We thought he might win two or three last year, so hopefully this will be his year. “He idled a bit in front and the track is probably a bit tight for him - he might want to get his foot in a bit.” The Stewards enquired into an incident inside the final furlong involving Loaded, ridden by G.M. Ryan, Tyrconnell, ridden by M.A. Enright and Trueba, ridden by S.B. Kelly, where it appeared that Trueba drifted left. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action other than to remind S.B. Kelly of his future responsibilities in this regard. (AM & EM)
