Kinsella makes track breakthrough with surprise winner Soldier Rathdrum County Wicklow handler Johnny Kinsella, on the mark with the likes of Definite Warrior in the point-to-point fields in the past, made the breakthrough on the racecourse proper tonight in the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Handicap Chase courtesy of 28/1 chance Definite Soldier. Adam Short did the steering in the silks of Oliver Mythen, and the bottom-weight, without a win since October 2016, put a fourth career success on the board, now at the age of twelve. His jumping may not have always been without flaw but that didn’t stop the outsider moving up into a prominent position travelling well two out. Definite Soldier eventually got to the front after the last and beat Ask Nile and The Caddy Rose by half a length and the same. “John Kinsella doesn’t have many in but he does a great job with them. He trains just five minutes up the road and I know him a long time,” said Short. “He’s done a great job with this horse and in fairness he told me he was in the best form he’s had him in a long time and he should take a bit of beating.” The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Demain Des L'aube (FR), trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Jack Holiday, trained by John F. Gleeson, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. P.K. Donovan, rider of Summer Hill trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped very quickly. At the request of the Stewards, S.W. Flanagan, rider of The Caddy Rose, trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not travel early on. (AM & EM)
