Pairc Na Ngael wins under Mark Walsh at Kilbeggan © Photo Healy Racing
Pairc Na Ngael defied topweight to run out a game winner of the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan.
The Charles Byrnes trained eight-year-old was stepping up to 3m for the first time but had no stamina worries as he saw it out right to the line.
Held up in mid-division early doors, as Ardaghs Choice went clear, the JP McManus owned gelding moved into contention on the final circuit and went on travelling easily entering the straight.
With the final fence omitted due to a low lying sun, Mark Walsh merely had to push the winner out hands and heels to hold runner-up Back The West
Ardaghs Choice ran a remarkable race back in sixth place. A distance clear heading out on the final circuit, he virtually refused to race and was headed, before picking up the bridle and getting back in front. It was only inside the final half mile that his exertions began to tell.
Regarding Pairc Na Ngael, Charles Byrnes said; “It's been a long struggle to get him to win and I'm glad to get it.
“His jumping is just average and he hit a few. The strong gallop probably suited him.
“He ran well the last day and was probably entitled to win off that.
“He'll keep at that game and we'll look for a 0-116 or 0-123 now and see what way we go.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
