Kylemore Lough (near side) and Outlander jump the last together© Photo Healy Racing
The dream season being enjoyed by rookie trainer Kerry Lee got even better as Kylemore Lough landed the Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.
The seven-year-old gelding was not only the Herefordshire trainer’s first runner in Ireland but also her first runner in a Grade 1 race.
The 7/4 chance was completing a five-timer and, following a superb round of jumping, had too many guns on the run-in for evens favourite Outlander
The pair locked horns from the penultimate fence, and Barry Geraghty’s mount stayed on best in the closing stages to prevail by a length. Blair Perrone tried to challenge after two out but eventually finished a further six lengths adrift in third.
A delighted Ms Lee said, “I have to give a massive mention to Jamie (Moore) who has put in a lot of work on this horse at home and I’m sorry that he couldn’t ride him today. Five wins on the bounce is a fantastic achievement, and I’d say it will be Punchestown next probably over two miles. He’s quite versatile distance wise at two miles or two and a half.
“This is my first Grade 1 runner and my first runner in Ireland. It’s my 22nd winner of the season.
“Potentially we could be looking at anything next year. We’ve always thought where is the ceiling, and we don’t know. We’ll certainly be aiming for the stars and we’ll see what happens.
“I think he’s a class horse that isn’t ground dependant. His form has come on soft ground but, that said, Barry came back and said I think he’ll go just as well on better ground.”
Mick McMahon, who also bred Kylemore Lough, is originally from Co. Clare but now living in Birmingham, and owns the Revoque gelding in partnership with Denis Gallagher from Achill Island, Co. Mayo.
This gave Geraghty both Grade One's on the card as earlier he took the mares novice hurdle championship final on Jer's Girl
Paddy Power introduced Kylemore Lough at 5/1 for the Growise Champion Novice Chase in Punchestown.
