Whilst there were those who expected Kieren Fallon to steal the limelight at Galway last evening, it was our own champion, Michael Kinane who thrilled those in attendance with a near 60/1 double.
Twelve times top of his profession in this country, the Tipperary man has been doing particularly well for outside yards this term. However, when he missed the break aboard Kiptanui in the 1m handicap, even his most ardent fans must have had doubts about a successful outcome.
Thomond O'Mara's ten-year-old lost considerable ground but Kinane, as always, kept his cool, biding his time, still last as the field made the descent. Travelling well around the outside into the straight, the gelding came home strongly to lead near the finish and register his seventh success.
The Ballydoyle stable jockey then teamed up with Willie Mullins and employed hold-up tactics aboard Marigold in the featured 1m 4f handicap. With only two behind entering the straight, the mare was produced with perfect timing near the finish to account for Brave Geronimo by three parts of a length.
The successful pilot commented 'they flew, and I knew they'd probably pay the price up the hill'. Ideally Mullins would like to find another race here in October for the five-year-old who was registering her second win at Ballybrit.
Cocarica looked to hold solid claims in the opening fillies maiden and punters latched on at 2/1 (returned 13/8). Kevin Prendergast's charge led inside the final furlong but had to battle hard to fend off the storming late run of Alexander Duchess, who might be considered a 'tad' unlucky having lost her place in the dip. The Lady O'Reilly-owned winner was partnered by Declan McDonagh.
The market spoke in favour of John Oxx's Green Castle in the following maiden for apprentice riders. However things didn't work out that way, as stable companion, Frost Fair strode to an impressive three and a half length win. The Sheikh Mohammed-owned winner was partnered by Jamie Moriarty. Kerry native Moriarty was recording his tenth success in the plate. Favourite Green Castle could manage no better than ninth.
Hehasalife, took a Naas point to point earlier in his career and Michael Hourigan's charge displayed the benefit of that when jumping well on his second outing over the larger obstacles. Ridden by the trainer's son Paul, the six-year-old ran out a good two length winner of the beginners chase whilst there was a triumph for Carlow when Larkhill Jo justified odds-on favouritism by a diminishing head in the handicap hurdle. Both trainer, Brian Nolan and rider, Alan Donoghue come from the aforementioned county.
The closing maiden hurdle also had odds-on punters smiling as Blanc C'est Blanc scored in good style for Arthur Moore and Conor O'Dwyer.
Meanwhile in other news, apprentice Sean Cleary had a 5-day insufficient effort ban from Tralee overturned by the appeals and referrals committee at a meeting before racing. It has also been confirmed that the connections of Falbrav are appealing the decision of the Leopardstown stewards not to award their charge victory in last Saturday's Champion Stakes.
