McKinley and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie Mullins trained Grade 1 winning novice hurdler McKinley (6/4f) registered his first win over fences at Fairyhouse today, landing the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase, completing a double for owner Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud and his retained jockey Bryan Cooper.
McKinley had caused one of the biggest shocks of 2015 when winning the top-level Lawlor's Hotel Novice Hurdle at Naas last January at odds of 33/1 and while unsuccessful in five subsequent starts, did show some of his old spark today.
The son of Kheleyf was left in front by the fall of second-favourite Alisier D'Irlande, who had been racing erratically in front, at the fourth last fence and in the end stayed on to comfortably beat Missypet by five and a half lengths.
Afterwards Mullins stated “that was fortuitous. When he was left in front the loose horse (Alisier D'Irlande) kept him going.
“It's nice to break his duck and we'll look for a winners chase for him. The Arkle (at Leopardstown) is probably too soon and we might look for something easier than that. He might go out in trip also.”
O'Leary (Gigginstown) and Cooper were earlier successful with Tocororo in the opener and while owner O'Leary had reason to rue the loss of Tramore's lost card today, Cooper's re-routing to the Co Meath venue yielded a double.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
