Kells Priory and Richie Condon (right)© Photo Healy Racing
33/1 shot Kells Priory lunged late to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under a power packed ride from Richie Condon.
The Louise Lyons-trained gelding was under pressure in a moderate sixth turning for home in the two-and-a-half mile handicap but really hit top gear going to the final flight.
Condon's mount got under the last but it didn't halt his momentum as he picked off the well-backed The Gradual Slope (8/1 to 7/2f) on the run-in to record a length-and-a-quarter success.
Kells Priory was recording his first career success and had been pulled up when last seen at Down Royal in October.
Lyons revealed:- “He took a bit of time to mature. We probably did a bit too much with him last season but he has come back a better and stronger horse.
“I thought he would need the run but the (Bullseye) syndicate are local so we said we’d run and it’s great that it has worked out.”
Condon told RTE:- “Everything went according to plan really. Louise said to me beforehand to drop in, get him to relax and get him into a rhythm and see how the race pans out in front. They went a good gallop and I stayed on great up the straight.
“Coming into the second last he really came alive underneath me and he quickened the whole way up the straight, that was a great performance.
“I went over to America for the summer, and had a great stint over there. I was with Keri Brion and ended up winning the American Grand National and had some great success.
“Unfortunately I ended up breaking my back at the end of it. This is only my third ride back and my second winner so I'm pinching myself.
“I only live five minutes up the road and I'm a member here at the golf course so we'll have a bit of craic tonight!”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
