Banbridge and Tom Hamilton © Photo Healy Racing
Banbridge (8/1, from 4s this morning) was far too good for his rivals in the concluding KillarneyRaces.ie INH Flat Race.
A second winner on the card for Doyen after Merry Doyenne earlier, the chestnut gelding quickened up well for Tom Hamilton to lead over a furlong out and was soon clear, passing the post eight and a half lengths ahead of Goldwin Magic (12/1).
The Ronnie Bartlett-owned 5-year-old was placed in a couple of point-to-points for Colin McKeever before disappointing when well-backed on his bumper debut at Thurles in March.
Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O’Brien who was completing a double after Darasso earlier, said: “He showed a lot before his first run and had finished second to Undersupervision in a point-to-point and he has won a novice hurdle for Nigel Twiston Davies.
"He got very tired on bottomless ground at Thurles so they waited on better ground today and dropped him in.
"Joseph said to Tom that this guy has more gears than you'd think and he has shown it today and quickened away well.
"It might not have been the greatest race in the world but you'd like the way he did it and he is a beautiful jumper."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
