Sitcom (nearest) takes off at the last, with runner-up Kilcarry Bridge on her outside© Photo Healy Racing
Sitcom made it third time lucky over fences as she took the opener at Thurles this afternoon, the Killinan Beginners Chase.
The five-year-old daughter of Oscar was well-beaten on her chasing debut at Ballinrobe in September, but she put in a much improved performance to finish just three and three parts of a length fourth to Gentleman Duke over the course earlier this month.
Stepped up in trip by an extra two furlongs, the Christy Roche trained filly, who has two hurdle wins to her name, was sent off a 3/1 chance, having opened at 11/4 on-course.
Settled in mid-division, the bay victor improved into fourth away from the fifth last, and she travelled best on the approach to two out.
She came under pressure between the final two fences, responding well and coming with her challenge at the last, before soon hitting the front and going on from there to score by a length and a half under Mark Walsh. Kilcarry Bridge who was the gamble of the contest (10/1 to 11/2 on-course), ran a fine race to finish second under Mikey Fogarty for John Ryan, while Vino Vino Cavo kept on to take third, a further five and a half lengths back under Adrian Heskin for Daniel Miley at 14/1. Il Fenomeno was sent off the 5/4 favourite for Paul Carberry and Noel Meade, but he faded tamely after the second last and finished a disappointing fifth.
Frank Berry, racing manager to the winning owner, said afterwards: “She jumped great, and handled the ground well. She had a nice run here the last day, and she came on a bit for it. We will find a little handicap down the way for her."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
