From left to right; Killian Forde, Golden Kite with Jody McGarvey in the saddle, Finian Maguire and Adrian Maguire© Photo Healy Racing
Having won the Midlands National at Kilbeggan and the Munster National at Limerick (both in 2010), Golden Kite added the Connacht National to his CV as he took the feature race at Roscommon this evening under Jody McGarvey for Adrian Maguire.
The eleven-year-old son of Anshan ran a cracker on his last start over hurdles at Cork, finishing a neck behind Cnoc Na Sioga.
He was 11/1 last night with Paddy Powers but opened on-course at just 8s before going off the 7/1 third choice of punters.
Prominent throughout, with Salesin he hit the front before the last, staying on gamely on the run-in to see off the challenge of the Keith Donoghue ridden, Gordon Elliott trained, Jamsie Hall (12/1) by a length and a half.
Front-running Salesin was two and three parts of a length back in third under ‘Slippers’ Madden for his father ‘Boots’ while Action Master was a further four length back in fourth at 8/1 (14/1 last night with Paddy Power) under Mark Enright for Dessie Hughes. Jetson was sent off the 4/1 favourite (opened at 11/2 on-course) but he could only manage sixth under Barry Geraghty for Jessica Harrington.
A delighted Adrian Maguire said afterwards: "After his run at Mallow this was always the plan.
"He has been a super horse for us. He won his point-to-point at Inch on his first start as a five-year-old and he has won ten times now, including three Nationals.
"He is owned by a gentleman (Anthony Calnan) who is in the game for the long haul and I’m delighted for him.
"I have a small operation now and this win is huge for us. I have just three in for the summer and I own the other two.
"Jody was excellent on him. He gave him a super ride at Mallow and he was unlucky not to win there.
"We will let the dust settle now before we decide what to do."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
