Menindee and Darragh O Keeffe win the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Chase. © Photo Healy Racing
The David Christie trained Menindee made up for a last fence fall when looking set to win on his most recent start over fences when keeping on strongly to land the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan.
The seven-year-old held a 3 lengths lead when coming to grief at the last at Punchestown in June but subsequently reverted to hurdles to make all at Sligo last month.
Back over the larger obstacles here, Darragh O'Keeffe always had the mare in a prominent position, tracking the leader Room To Roam before moving up to dispute after the second last.
Making good headway to lead at the final fence, the winner than faced a strong challenge from the fast finishing Goodnightngodbless who got to within half-a-length of the Christie runner before her run levelled out.
David Christie said: “She’s stronger this year. These homebred horses often take time to come to themselves and she’s just taken time. We’ve been patient with her.
“Last week the way the ground was at the end (of Galway) and Darragh said she felt a bit dead as if she was coming out of season. She wasn’t herself at all and didn’t take a cut at her hurdles.
“She seemed good through the week and we said we’d have a go.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
