Celestial Horizon © Photo Healy Racing
A good day for trainer Joseph O’Brien got better in the valuable Kelly Farm Modernisation Ltd Handicap Hurdle as Celestial Horizon (8/1) won readily under JJ Slevin.
The Fastnet Rock four-year-old made headway from mid-division approaching the straight and led before three out. He went away to bet Rich Belief by seven lengths with Ardla and Blanketontheground filling the frame in third and fourth.
Friday’s easy Kilbeggan winner Bonarc went off 9/2 favourite but finished well down the field.
The winner scored twice on the Flat last year and this was his second win over hurdles. It was a Killarney double for trainer and jockey after Igraine in the first and O’Brien was also on the mark with Listed winner Brostaigh at Naas.
Frank Berry, racing manager for winning owner JP McManus, said: "He ran really well at Fairyhouse (second on handicap debut), made a few errors but that experience stood to him. He jumped much better today.
"I'm sure he'll go for the Galway Hurdle now - it is the obvious place for him.
"They have done a fantastic job with watering the ground and he appreciated it."
Speaking from Naas later on, Joseph O'Brien remarked: “He won really well. He ran very well in Fairyhouse, at the Easter festival there, and this race was the plan since then.
“His jumping was a bit sticky still but it was a good performance from him and I think he's a nice horse.
“I think we'll look at the summer festivals with him, Galway and Listowel, and see where we end up.”
Quotes from Tom Weekes & Gary Carson
