Killarney Report

Head Waiter benefitted from a positive ride by Paddy Flood to take the featured Kerryman Long Distance Handicap Hurdle as the July Festival meeting continued at Killarney.

The Eugene O´Sullivan-trained light-weight had all his rivals in trouble when kicking clear early in the straight, and the four-year-old had enough in reserve after the two and three quarter miles to hold favourite Bothar Na by two lengths.

´Paddy did exactly what I told him and gave him a superb ride. He´ll probably go for a two and a half miles handicap at Galway,´ said a delighted O´Sullivan afterwards.

Bookmakers suffered a torrid time here on the opening two nights, and Care And Share added to their woe by justifying good support under Alan Crowe in the Cellar One @ The Ross Beginners Chase.

The 5/2 favourite just qualified for this two and three quarter miles race which was restricted to horses with a hurdle rating of 109 or less and, having been left in front after Bawn Og fell three out, held the challenge of Rock´n Laura by half a length. ´He jumps well and has done his time at the Enda Bolger school!´ quipped trainer Christy Roche.

The Ladbrokes Handicap Chase proved a real triumph for the handicapper with only five lengths seperating the first 11 home, and favourite backers again got a result as the Paul Carberry-ridden first reserve Newton Bridge led on the run-in to beat Darc Leader by half a length.

Ben Curtis took the Flat section of the card by storm, doubling his career tally by partnering a 111.5/1 double aboard Dorset Square and Sara Cara. The 17-year-old Nottingham apprentice producing Dorset Square with a well-timed late challenge to beat On The Net by three quarters of a length in the Kirby´s Brogue Inn 30th Year In The Kingdom Maiden.

A stewards enquiry was called into a number of incidents inside the final furlong, with Curtis receiving a four days suspension for careless riding after Davenport Democrat (third) was slightly hampered while Rory Cleary also picked up the same punishment on fourth-placed Posh Lady.

Curtis followed up when again leaving it late on Sara Cara in the K W D Recycling Handicap, the 14/1 chance heading Desert Rat in the closing stages to score by three quarters of a length.

Bold Bibi followed up her recent Leopardstown victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap where the winning margin of a head bore no relation to her superiority. The Mick Halford-trained filly was driven clear well over a furlong but was eased down to such an extent by Rory Cleary in the closing stages that he had just a fast diminishing head to spare over Our Jaffa.

Nadine Forde was the toast of the layers after the lady riders bumper as her mount Super Daisy drew clear in the final furlong to score at a friendless 16/1, while the heavily-backed 11/8 favourite Description could only manage fourth.

Alan Magee