Mick Kinane edging one ahead of great rival Johnny Murtagh in the Flat jockeys championship when successful aboard Windsor Dancer at Clonmel.
The Ger Lyons-trained topweight needed all of Kinane's strength in division one of the 0-50 handicap, heading Maradi on the uphill climb to the line for a two length verdict. The eleven times champion is now on the 75 winner mark with just two meetings left this year, another mixed card at Thurles and the final day of the season at Leopardstown on Sunday week.
Kinane, now 1/2 (from 4/5) for the jockeys championship with Cashmans, had to settle for the runner-up spot half-an-hour later in division two where Charmante Femme (Danny Grant) proved two lengths too good for the reluctant Black Legend.
Kickham, winner of the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree on Grand National day, proved a big disappointment on his jumping debut in the maiden hurdle. 'Norman (Williamson) said he just ran lifeless, and was thinking of pulling him up on the downhill run before the straight,' said J P McManus' racing manager Frank Berry after the gelding finished a well beaten ninth behind Gemini Guest.
Williamson and trainer Edward O'Grady enjoyed better fortune half-an-hour earlier when taking the beginners chase with Bennie's Pride. The six-year-old was prominent throughout, and stayed on well under pressure in the straight to beat Hedgehunter by three and a half lengths. 'The ground was probably a bit firm for him at Thurles last time. He jumped much better today, and hopefully can go on from here,' said O'Grady.
Davy Condon recorded his fourth winner in the past three racing days when Arch Stanton quickened up nicely inside the final furlong to take the mile and a half maiden. Condon is three behind Tadhg O'Shea in the apprentice championship (30-27), but the latter is already assured of a second successive title as Condon is suspended for the remaining two days of the season.
Successful trainer Willie Mullins is looking forward to sending the four-year-old over hurdles 'He's been hard to train with lots of little problems, and probably needs a good cut in the ground like this,' said trainer Willie Mullins, who added 'I'll try to run him again on the Flat before the end of the season, and he's one to look forward to over hurdles.'
Leeside Legend was prominent throughout for Kevin Manning to gain a comfortable victory in the 0-75 ten furlong handicap, while Khoza'ah denied the Manning/Bolger team a quick double when getting up close home under Declan McDonogh to pip Hasina in the ten furlong maiden. McDonogh was severely cautioned by the stewards for excessive use of the whip on the 7/4 favourite.
Alan Magee
