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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Kelly returns on a winner

Fri 2nd Jun 2023, 20:14

CostanuciCostanuci
© Photo Healy Racing

The John Queally-trained Costanuci lunged late to land the spoils in the Dunmore East Handicap Hurdle at Tramore.

Aidan Kelly produced the 10/3 favourite to challenge two from home in the two-five contest but she looked booked for third going to the last as Royal Recital and Kilnurry Jj battled it out.

The Doyen mare found plenty on the run-in however and got to the front close home to pip her rivals and secure a neck success. Kimurry Jj won the battle for the runner-up spot.

Kelly: "It's my first day back riding and it couldn't have gone any better. I think it was five weeks ago last Tuesday since I broke my collar bone at Tipperary. It was a long five weeks and I'm having a fair auld blow now. 

"I thought early on that we were going to go a good gallop, the way everyone was lining-up. The boys just told me to take my time on her and give her plenty of light. It seemed to work out and I'd say she could win a couple more. 

"It was my first time on her so I didn't know much about her. I just had a look at her races and she seemed a grand, easy-going filly. She is genuine out and I'd say if there was more hurdles today she would have won a bit better."

Two of the four flights in a circuit were omitted, due to low lying sun, with a just the second last and final flight in place, leaving the runners with long runs on the level between jumping.

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.