Kilbeggan brace for McManus

There was a second winner on the Kilbeggan card for J P McManus as the Niall Madden-trained Whatever It Takes (14/1) registered a convincing victory in the Michael Moore Car Sales Mercedes-Benz Handicap Hurdle.

Jody McGarvey carried the green and gold to success earlier aboard the Joseph O'Brien-trained Monarch whilst in this three mile one furlong contest it was 7Ib claimer Donie McInerney that steered Whatever It Takes.

Typically for an 80 to 102 event such as this plenty still held claims two out.

However by the time they got to the last previous course and distance scorer Whatever It Takes had stamped his authority on the big field marathon. He ended up accounting for Uptake by nine and a half lengths.

"That was great. Things didn't go to plan for him in Bellewstown where the ground was a bit slow," explained Madden.

"He won around here before and we rode him handier today. He stays well.

"Donal gave him a great ride. He rode a winner for me about a couple of months ago on Tay Lane. He's a nice fella and rides a bit of work for me so it's nice to give him a ride.

"It's always great to train a winner for that man as without him a lot of us would be out of business."

R.A. Doyle, rider of Queeny trained by Ronald O'Leary, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never acted on the ground.

D.R. Fox, rider of Cairnshill trained by Mark Michael McNiff, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was unable to go the pace on the ground and stayed on past beaten horses.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Queeny, trained by Ronald O'Leary, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Itsallhappening trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have blood on its nose post race as a result of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

(GC & EM)