Brandt and Jordan Gainford © Photo Healy Racing
Brandt made a winning debut for trainer Cian Collins when staying on best on the run-in to land the Kepak Handicap Chase at Roscommon.
Runner-up in a bumper for Gordon Elliott last April, the six-year-old was then sold to Henry Oliver but failed to trouble the judge in seven starts in Britain.
Now trained back in County Meath once more, the gelding snuck in here as first reserve, making the most of that opportunity to prevail at 8/1. Kilashee made the running as per usual and looked to have everything in trouble approaching two out. However, Gaelic Des Chastys and Brandt emerged from the chasing pack to overhaul the mare on the run to the last.
Nothing separated the pair from the back of that obstacle, with Gaelic Des Chastys edging ahead at one point but Brandt found extra close home to win by a-length-and-three-quarters.
Cian Collins: “We have him two months and it’s great to get him to win today. We haven’t galloped him at home but have just changed a few things and thankfully they have worked.
“I thought it was a very good ride by Jordan. We knew there would be plenty of pace so we said we’d take our time and he finished well.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
