Ballyadam lands a touch Ballyadam Brook landed a touch as he took the Killarney Oaks Hotel Beginners Chase for his trainer Terence O'Brien with Davy Condon in the saddle. The 8yo son of Alderbrook won four in-a-row over hurdles in 2010 (including a novice hurdle success over the course) and rounded off that year with a fine third behind Cue Card in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham in November. However he missed all of 2011 and only returned to action in February of this year where he pulled up in a beginners chase won by Harpsy Cord. After two runs on the level and an effort over hurdles at Cork last time out he made his second start over fences today. Having led early on he was headed at the fourth and soon settled behind the leaders. He was seventh at the halfway stage before he made headway into fourth sixth fences from home. He was ridden into third at the second last and stayed on well to challenge both Cavite Beta and Shinrock Paddy before the last. He hit the front at the last and kept on well on the run-in to score by five and a half lengths at the line from Cavite Beta in second at 5/2 under Davy Russell for Jim Dreaper. Shinrock Paddy was sent off the 9/4 favourite but he again let down his supporters and could only manage a disappointing third a further four and a quarter lengths back under Barry Geraghty for Paul Nolan. Having opened at 8/1 with Paddy Powers this morning, the winner opened on track at just 5/1 before being punted into 10/3 at the off. Winning trainer Terence O'Brien said afterwards: "He fractured a joint two years ago and has been lame on and off ever since. "The last six weeks he stayed sound and we have been able to get a run of work together. "He ran a cracker at Cork and while I wouldn't run one again so quick normally, once he was sound I decided to go for it. "I didn't think it would be too tough a race but it turned out to be a really good beginners chase and he did it well. "If he stays sound I'd say we will head to Listowel with him. His owner has been very patient with him and he has had a lot of bad luck." (On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
