Coastal World (left) jumps the last alongside My Friend The Wind© Photo Healy Racing
Noel Kelly registered a third success in less than a week, as his Coastal World claimed the concluding J.J Burke Peugeot Handicap Hurdle.
Successful at Ballinrobe when in the care of Ciaran Murphy in May of 2021, the now nine-year-old was last seen finishing second when sent off at 80/1 in a claiming hurdle at Roscommon last month.
Returned an 11/2 chance this evening, from 16s before many of his intended rivals were taken out, the Coastal Path bay raced mainly in third under Alex Harvey.
Pushed along in a close second after two out, he improved into a share of the lead approaching the last and after a duel with My Friend The Wind on the run-in, there was just a neck between them at the line.
The runner-up was returned a 4/1 joint-favourite under Calum Hogan, with the front pair drawing nine lengths clear of Pearlofflorida (11/1 from 33s early) in third.
In front for much of the contest, Ballagh Star was the other joint-favourite and he finished fourth.
"He'd a very good run in a claimer behind a good horse in Dollar Value. Mark (McCrory, owner) thought he'd improved from that run and fancied him today. He's here on behalf of Noel Kelly," Harvey, who had a double at Sligo on Thursday last, commented.
"We didn't go a mad gallop and he was a little bit in my hands. He didn't jump great throughout but was able to flick away through them and not lose too much momentum. When push came to shove, he was gutsy and battled away gamely to the line."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards fined E. McNamara, trainer, E65 for failing fit the declared headgear to My Friend The Wind, prior to entering the parade ring.
The Raceday Stewards reviewed the start of this race where R.P. Geoghegan, rider of Cois Fharraige was unseated after the flag had dropped. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
