JP McManus homebred opens account Adare Manor-sponsored maiden hurdle
A punch of the air as he crossed the line on Take The Free (2-1) in the Adare Manor-sponsored maiden hurdle suggested a result of significance for Monasterevin jockey Aidan Kelly.
So it proved as the jockey revealed after to Donn McClean on Racing TV that he had partnered his 60th winner and that his claim was gone.
Enda Bolger trains this JP McManus homebred who was opening his account at the fourth attempt. He had to battle for the victory but ultimately had just over two lengths to spare.
“Thanks very much to Mr McManus and to Frank Berry who have been great supporters. It is nice to get this important winner for them. They gave me a winner at Cheltenham, too, so I can’t thank them enough.”
The Listed Kilmurray Group Midlands National, the biggest prize of the year at Kilbeggan with a total value of €100,000, went the way of Bruree trainer Enda Bolger after his Solitary Man gave jockey Aidan Kelly a notable success.
Under cloudless, blue skies, a huge crowd descended on the Westmeath track and temperatures soared high into the 20s for an evening meeting.
A strong pace was set on a track rated ‘good’ which set the race up for horses ridden with some restraint and Solitary Man crept his way through the field to lead jumping final fence of the 3m1f test.
The 14-1 chance won by over two lengths from 33-1 outsider Percival Legallois. Full credit to the wily Bolger as he also saddled the third home, Pride Of Place.
For the winning rider Kelly, it was an auspicious beginning to his career on his first day as a professional rider, bagging0 the €58,900 first prize.
He lost his right to claim earlier in the week on another horse of Bolger’s, Take The Free, at Roscommon.
“Enda rang me the other morning before decs and asked me if I had a ride in the race, and I jumped at it,” Kelly said on Racing TV.
“He jumped well. He kind of wasn’t taking me there halfway through, but then Paul Townend came up on my outside and he locked on. I was delighted when that happened.
“I was just hoping they’d give me a lead down to the last, even when he did get there he had a good look. He was a class horse back in his day, and it’s nice to get the opportunity to ride him.
“Hopefully I can stay on the winners' side of things and stay injury-free. That will be the main thing for the year,” he concluded