Kilcarry Bridge and Danny Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
We had a couple of false starts, drama on the run-in and incident on the way round but after the extended two and a half miles it was Kilcarry Bridge and Danny Mullins that were on top in the Grade B MSL Cork Mercedes-Benz Handicap Chase at Killarney.
Mullins had to take evasive action on the run-in to avoid a loose horse coming back the wrong way and at the line the pace-setting Kilcarry Bridge's advantage was down to a length. The Winkler didn't travel for Andrew Ring but he finished out well in the silver medal position.
Kevin Brouder did well without irons on Aurora Bell to complete the course, after his mount jumped badly right at the first.
"He'll run in the Kerry National now and I'll have two for it, with him and Kylecrue. The two horses were nip and tuck on the gallops recently and I knew he (Kilcarry Bridge) would go close today," said winning trainer John Ryan.
"This fellow will go straight for the Kerry National and it's hard luck to Donagh Meyler who has gone to Australia (for the Ireland-Australia Jockeys' Series) but Danny won his beginners chase on him.
"The horses are back flying at the moment."
(TW & EM)
