Kieran Callaghan partnered his first winner over fences, as he guided Rock Road to victory in the season highlight at Ballinrobe, the Grade B McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase.

Previously trained by Michael Bowe, the ten-year-old won on his debut for Willie Mullins and owners Bowes Lodge Stables Partnership at Killarney in June of 2020.

He ran just once last year, finishing fifth over hurdles at Tipperary, and was a fine second on his return to action, again over the smaller obstacles, at the Punchestown Festival.

Back over fences this evening, the son of Definite Article was sent off the 4/1 second favourite, with just nine stone seven on his back.

In front in the early stages and never far off the pace, he regained the lead from the third last and landed full of running away from the final fence, going on to score easily by six-and-a-half lengths. Ilikedwayurthinkin (10/3f) came through to take second under Mark Walsh for Gavin Cromwell, while the admirable Peregrine Run (33/1) ran a fine race to take third, another three-parts of a length back.

"Kieran is 18 and from Old Leighlin which is just up the road from us,. He’s with us a couple of years and is a very talented rider who can do those light weight," Patrick Mullins stated.

"He hasn't a lot of experience over fences but was very good there. I told him to get a good start and hopefully we'd sit third, fourth or fifth. He ended up in front but he did the right thing and slotted him in after a while. The horse stays well and did it well."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Max Flamingo trained by Francis Casey, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Max Flamingo trained by Francis Casey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled and did not jump great before being pulled up.

D. Meyler, rider of Optical Confusion trained by Michael Butler, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lost his action and was pulled up.

The Stewards enquired into an incident where the runners came onto the running rail after the third last fence involving Peregrine Run, ridden by S.W. Flanagan, Ilikedwayurthinkin, ridden by M.P. Walsh, Jacksons Gold ridden by J.B. Foley and Charlie Stout ridden by S. O'Callaghan, where it appeared the three runners on the inside of Jacksons Gold got tight for room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, M.P. Walsh stated that he jumped the third last fence well, he met the bend but was not good enough to hold his position and got squeezed from the outside. S. O'Callaghan stated that he jumped left at the third last fence which left the inner free for Peregrine Run. When he met the running rail his own mount could not hold his position. S.W. Flanagan stated that he jumped the third last fence very well, landed running and went for the inside but got tightened from the outside at that point. J.B. Foley stated that he was riding on the outside of the other runners and was trying to keep his mount straight with his whip in his right hand. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that interference had taken place at this point due to some general bunching but they could not apportion blame to any individual rider and took no further action. .

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan