Troublesombrothers and Jack Kennedy on the way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Jack Kennedy rode out his claim when Troublesombrothers (11/4) came out best in the opening Healy Mac's Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Not many got into this extended two miler, as Miss Benefitz put it up to them from the front, but Kennedy always had that mare in his sights aboard the Norman Lee owned and trained Troublesombrothers.
The Heron Island gelding proved strongest from between the final two and he went on for a six length victory over Miss Benefitz, with Bomber Jackson three parts of a length back in third.
A gamble on the fourth went astray as Yaha Fizz (11/4 into 2/1 favourite on track and from bigger earlier) came in thirty five lengths behind the front trio.
"He is a lovely horse and he is a horse of my own. We ran him over the wrong distance the last day, we stepped him up to two and a half and he just didn't stay," reasoned Lee.
"We thought he'd take a lot of beating today. We were going to make all, but Brian (O'Connell) was very free on the one in front so I told Jack to sit in behind.
"That's Jack's three pound claim gone and he is going to be the top man in a couple of years. He gave him a great ride, he waited with him and the horse won really well.
"He is a nine-year-old, he had his troubles but he is a good horse. We will go for a beginners chase with him now and he will take a bit of beating in it too.
"He jumps real well and he is a grand horse, we are very fond of him. He will go places despite the fact he might be a little late going there. We are delighted with him.
"He might go to Galway. He loves good ground but he had a bit of leg trouble and we will mind him, he wouldn't be running on quick ground wherever he goes.
"It's great to be winning in Ballinrobe. We have a great record here and we want to keep it up. It's our favourite place to go and that's why we have four running today. It's started off good and hopefully it'll be better by evening."
The Stewards fined P.M.J.Doyle, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Rockmount Rocker in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
(DM & EM)
