THERE was drama in Killarney’s opening race at their final jumps card of the year when 2/5 favourite Speculatrix, who had the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at her mercy, came down at the final flight.

The market leader had led from an early stage and was coasting along with an advantage of around six lengths when stepping at the last which left Fair Damsel (9/2) to come home a fortunate winner under Shane O’Callaghan.

The daughter of Dragon Pulse, owned and bred by her trainer Dick Brabazon, had 10 lengths to spare over Between Friends.

Brabazon said: “It was bad luck on the one who fell but you have to be there.

“She loves jumping, has got the hang of it now and needs it soft as she isn’t the easiest to keep in one piece.

“My niece Heidi has done wonders in nursing her along and it is more minding her than training her. They are a clean-winded family though so you get away with it.

“Her mother was good and it is a funny family as it is completely uncommercial but there is speed and stamina in it. It is a winning family but just isn’t a fancy commercial one.”

Making all

Having made all to easily win his maiden over course and distance in May, 2/1 favourite Gasparo again led all the way to notch his second win of the year in the rated novice hurdle.

The Al Namix gelding, trained by Gavin Cromwell for Swords Bloodstock Limited and Dermot Fagan, stayed on well to fend off Lieber Nicc’s challenge by two lengths.

Winning rider Keith Donoghue said: “I wanted to go a good gallop as he is a good striding horse.

“He looks like he is travelling well but actually doesn’t quicken off it. In time he’ll strengthen up and progress and we might step him up in trip now and see where he goes.”

ERIC McNamara’s purple patch continued as the trainer’s Say It So (11/2) provided 7lb claimer Calum Hogan with a second jumps’ success in the Ross Castle Handicap Hurdle.

Owned by the Hurling Mad Syndicate, the winner was produced with perfect timing by 18-year-old Hogan to lead on the run-in, beating Duke Silver by a half-length.

Hogan reported: “Say It So has plenty ability but travelled in snatches with me.

“Down the back straight, I had to get after him but to be fair, I was going well turning in and knew if I got a good jump at the third-last, which I did, that I was going to get there.”

Wide margin winner

Trained for Flor McCarthy by David Christie, Jack Holiday (6/1) ran out a wide-margin winner of the two-mile, one-furlong handicap chase.

The 10-year-old was always on the front end under Philip Byrnes and went clear from four out to beat Skippin Court by 18 lengths.

Byrnes commented: “He is best when he races from the front and winged fences. He is as good a leaper as you’d ride.

“Darragh O’Keeffe normally rides him but was in Tipperary so thanks to Flor for allowing me to pick up the spare. Flor is my uncle and is a good supporter of our yard and has this horse with David.”

A BROTHER to King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame, Brave Adam (14/1) made most in the Ross Golf Club Beginners Chase.

Owned by Ciaran Mooney, the six-year-old was chased up the home straight by market leader The Great Unknown but kept pulling out more for Tom Kelly to hold on by a length.

Trainer Tom Cooper said: “He is a brother to a very good horse but unfortunately is nothing like him. This is his job though and up in trip on easier ground suited, although it wasn’t a great race, by any means.

“His wind isn’t the best but that might help his confidence and he loves jumping. We’ll look for a handicap and I don’t think the handicapper can be too harsh on him.”

Handicap debut

Doitforjane Sid registered a 20/1 success on his handicap debut as the Donncha Duggan-trained gelding landed the James Collins Memorial Handicap Hurdle under John Shinnick.

Named after owners John and Noelle Maum’s daughter Jane, the eight-year-old had been placed in three points last winter and scored from a rating of 88 when beating The Striker Dylan by five lengths.

Co Limerick-based Duggan, with 10 horses in his care, reported: “I wouldn’t say it was a surprise as he is a nice horse and the step up to two miles and six furlongs suited him. I was a bit worried about the rain as he likes nicer ground.”

First for Luke under rules

The Killarney Oaks Hotel Handicap Chase went to Inchidaly Copper (5/1) who led after the second-last to beat A Nod To Getaway by four and a half lengths and provided young amateur Luke Burke-Ott with his first success under rules.

The winning rider’s father Alexander Ott trains Inchidaly Copper in Boherbue, Co Cork and said: “We thought the ground might be a bit soft but we’re near home so said we’d take our chance.

“He seems to have matured this year and handles this ground better than he used to. I’ll talk to his owner but the horse has a nice bit done and we might now keep him for next year. Luke’s brother Andrew is riding in America at the moment and will be home soon, so Luke got the spin today and deserved that.”