The seasonal reappearance of Newmill added lustre to the featured Kinsale Handicap Chase (Grade B) at Cork today but the 2006 Champion Chase winner had to settle for second to Keys Pride who was completing a double for jockey Paul Townend.
Newmill attempted to make all and was only reined in by Keys Pride from the final flight, eventually going under by three parts of a length.
Afterwards winning trainer Stephen Ryan reported “I thought the trip may have been a little on the short side for Keys Pride but she has serious scope over fences. We'll aim her at a mares' chase at Clonmel next month.”
Newmill's trainer John Murphy himself stated “I'm delighted with him – age, plenty of weight and a lack of match-practice all conspired against him. We've no immediate plans from here but today was the first day in a long time he had his ideal ground conditions.”
