IT wasn’t quite at the level of his half-brother, Cloth Cap, who carried off the £200,000 Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Newbury in 2020, but Brideswell Lad had another day in the limelight in last Sunday’s Tote Killarney National.

Trained by Wexford’s Seamus Neville, and ridden here by his fellow county man, J.J. Slevin, the 20/1 chance has been a great servant to connections.

A Grade B victor at the 2023 Punchestown Festival, he was attaining win number eight of his career on this occasion, going up to three and a quarter miles for the first time.

Topweight and course specialist Stealthy Tom ran a gallant race for second, while favourite Midnight Our Fred was also there with his chance until late on.

However, they couldn’t quite match the victor, owned by Neville’s wife Ina, and he crossed the line a length and three-quarters and four and three-quarter lengths to the good.

Another National in Kerry, the big one at Listowel in September, could now be an objective for Brideswell Lad, after a break.

Kalium impresses

There was further Model County joy, in the concluding bumper, when the ‘Monbeg’ Doyle brothers, owner Donnchadh and trainer Sean, captured the An Excellent Choice (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race with Kalium, a first-time out son of Gentlewave.

Patrick Mullins did the steering on the youngster and he reported: “There was no pace so I lobbed along in front and he kept going. He was well able to gallop and was impressive.”

Kalium (4/1) had no less than 19 lengths to spare over Derryville at the finish.

Mullins was later sanctioned under R.10.3.(c) – the unnecessary hitting of a horse that clearly has its race won or has obtained its maximum placing. His first offence in this regard saw him pick up a two-day ban.

Florida Strait (post-race normal), the 7/2 favourite that finished ninth, was reported by rider Tom Hamilton to have never travelled.

THERE was success for South Eastern connections throughout the session, including in the valuable Lakes Of Killarney Handicap Hurdle where 33/1 chance Senecia was the beneficiary of a slice of luck.

Willie Mullins’ Icare Desbois came a cropper at the last. He was over two lengths in front and looking good when making a mistake and getting rid of Paul Townend. That left Senecia to eventually hold off So Scottish by a head.

“Phillip (Enright) gave him a great ride. He might go to Galway now and good ground suits him. It has been bottomless during the winter and no matter where we went, there was rain coming,” said winning owner Lar Halley, father of the successful Waterford handler Vincent.

“Vincent has five horses and we have a small operation. The competition is strong wherever you go and this is great. The last big pot I won was the Fortria Chase with Arctic Skipper (back in 2016).”

More favourable ground conditions was the reason proffered at an improvement in form inquiry – an excuse noted by the stewards.

Enright earlier initiated a double, for Aidan Ryan and Edward O’Grady, on St Faz in the Torc Travel Maiden Hurdle.

In Ryan’s familiar black and yellow livery, Enright on St Faz (2/1), and favourite How About No (13/8), had this to themselves with over a circuit left to race. At the death, the Kerry jockey could ease up and still register a length and a half winning margin.

“Aidan is a great owner to have and I’m delighted Liz is here with him.

“He likes coming down, I like coming down here and it has worked out really well. He got a lovely ride and settled well for him,” reflected winning trainer O’Grady.

In-foal Tiara delights O’Brien

IT wasn’t any great surprise to see Piltown trainer David O’Brien really delight in the clear-cut victory of the gambled-on Minx Tiara (17/2 into 10/3) in the Listed Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre Mares Hurdle.

Forcing the pace, Sean Flanagan, in the Fastey For Fun Syndicate silks, brought Minx Tiara home with four and a half lengths to spare over Lady Rita. Explained O’Brien in the aftermath: “She’s been confirmed in foal to Hurricane Lane and that might have brought a bit of improvement.”

He added: “She has a high cruising speed and likes to go a good gallop, so Sean made plenty of use of her. She will probably be sold at the end of the year.” O’Brien was asked by the stewards to account for the transformation in form from Minx Tiara’s effort at Sandown on March 9th. They noted his explanation on more favourable ground conditions.

Enda Bolger has care of Solitary Man (2/1 into 6/4 favourite) for Linda Shanahan, and in the hands of Darragh O’Keeffe on debut over fences, this fellow landed the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase. Solitary Man jumped to the front two out but had to work hard to win by half a length from Duffle Coat. Music Of Tara (7/4) disappointed in a well-beaten fourth, and the mare was reported to be blowing hard and showing signs of delayed recovery post race.

Paul Townend later in the day, wasn’t found wanting after the Icare Desbois spill, guiding 2/7 chance Saylavee, also trained by Willie Mullins, to a seamless success in the Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase. She beat Henning by seven lengths. “She was entitled to win it once she took to chasing, and had schooled well. Credit to the racecourse who produced nice ground,” remarked Townend on the Ecurie Madame Lynne Maclennan-owned seven-year-old. More impressive again was Al Gasparo (5/4 favourite) as he romped to a 24-length win in the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle.

In-form Keith Donoghue was up top in the Swords Bloodstock Limited colours for Gavin Cromwell.