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Derby off to winning start over fences

Sat 8th Aug 2009, 19:55

The Last Derby made a winning debut over fences in the Kieran Kelly Memorial Beginners Chase.

Eoin Griffin 's charge, who failed to get a run as a reserve in the Galway Hurdle, stamped his class on proceedings with a 25-length victory.

It was a quick double for Barry Geraghty, who sent his mount to the front after the third last and pulled clear before the last for a cosy win.

"We had him tuned up for the Galway Hurdle but he had been schooled over fences before that as our plan was to go straight over fences after Galway," said Griffin.

"He was entitled to win that on his hurdle rating but won it well enough. Hopefully he'll pick up a novice chase or two."

The race is run in memory of jockey Kieran Kelly, who was killed in action at the course at this meeting in 2003.

Kelly is best remembered for his association with Hardy Eustace, who he had partnered to success in the SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier that year.