Thurles treble for rising star O’Keeffe

The second race was competitive but ultimately won in good style by Turbo, who gave O’Keeffe the first leg of his 109.5-1 treble.

There were four horses in a line going to the last, but the eventual winner touched down marginally in front and picked up best of all to go clear of Someone’s Wish. It was a fine training performance by Jimmy Finn as the 11-year-old was returning from a 704-day absence and seeking a first win over fences since July 2020.

O’Keeffe doubled up when Grooveykindoflove, trained by Henry de Bromhead, ran out an easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle. Having been just touched off in her last two outings, she travelled strongly this time and ended that frustrating run of near misses by pulling clear close home.

“She jumped really well and when the others came to her, she picked up really well,” said the winning rider. “It’s good that she got her head in front having gone close a couple of times. It was ideal when the horse went a good gallop in front of her and she had something to aim at. I’d be keeping her up in trip rather than coming back, as she seemed to really enjoy it.” 

Brendan Walsh provided the third leg of O’Keeffe’s treble with Romella, winner of the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle. The well-supported 9-4 favourite, who was turning out quickly after running on Tuesday at Limerick, moved best for most of the trip and asserted in good style to readily account for Tasmanian Girl and San Aer.

“She only ran in Limerick the other day, but she came out it and freshened up well,” said O’Keeffe. “She’s a strong traveller and after the last she put her head down and galloped out well to the line.” 

The I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle had a 1-3 favourite in the Gordon Elliott-trained and Jack Kennedy-ridden Minella Sixo but it took all of the rider’s strength and the horse’s willingness to claim victory.

Mister Pink tried to make all the running and travelled and jumped better than the favourite but, when push came to shove, Minella Sixo found the extras required to prevail by half a length, with Born Bright running a fine race in third place.

“Jack said he was going as quick as he could around here, so maybe more of a galloping track would suit him better,” said Elliott. “He’s fairly honest and is going the right way.

“I’d be shocked if he’s not a three-miler. He has a good staying pedigree, and I’d say that’s what he wants. He mightn’t run on winter heavy ground but if we could find another race for him before he gets a break, we’d be happy.”

 Warm In Gorey gave Power Roche and trainer Rothwell a fifth winner in less than a fortnight when taking the ThurlesRaces.ie Handicap Hurdle. It was quite straightforward as he moved up going well from two out and picked up nicely to account for Boston Rover.

There was an upset in the opener, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase, in which 12-1 chance Drumgill ran out quite a comfortable winner for Daniel King and John Ryan.

Second-favourite Caesar Rock was narrowly in front when taking a crashing fall four from home, at which point 4-9 chance Jigoro took over. The new leader was awkward over the second-last, where he conceded the lead and thereafter never looked like getting to Drumgill, who galloped clear after the last.

Morning favourite Jacob’s Ladder was a non-runner in the finale, a qualified riders’ maiden hurdle, but his absence paved the way for point-to-point winner Jarrive De Mee, trained by Willie Mullins, to strut his stuff. Jumping well and given an ultra-confident ride by Patrick Mullins, the 1-4 favourite allowed Beauforts Storm to join him in the straight but, after the last, he eased away under little pressure to win in grand style.