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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Cave Court back to form for Kelly

Tue 23rd Jul 2024, 18:31

Cave Court pops the lastCave Court pops the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Talented Cave Court got back to winning ways in the David Heneghan Memorial Handicap Hurdle over the extended 2m1f at Ballinrobe.

With Sainte Baol ruled out due to the change in going (good to yielding), Cave Court went off 9/4 favourite having been considerably longer in the morning.

He was always handy under Oran McGill and went past Sydney Cruiser two out. McGill kicked on him before the last and it was the winning of the race.

The seven-year-old gelding had enough in the tank to hold the closers led by fast-finishing Magic Olinger in second at 4/1. Stormalong (11/1) was a head back in third.

This was Cave Court's fifth career success comprising three over hurdles and two over fences.

Noel Kelly said: "We fancied our chances today.

"He got a bad fall (brought down) in Down Royal and it set him back a wee bit. After that it just took him a couple of runs for the penny to drop again, but we gave him a break and he's bounced back today.

"He's a good genuine horse. Two and a half (miles) probably suits him better than today's trip, but he has a bit of class.

"Oran works with me every day and is a classy wee rider.

"He'll go to Galway for the 0-116 opportunity handicap hurdle on the Sunday."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.