A dispute arising from payment for valets for the new Saturday evening meetings threatened to disrupt proceedings at Kilbeggan tonight, although a settlement was reached shortly before the first race.
The 2m3f handicap hurdle produced the biggest cheer of the day when well backed 7/4 favourite Good Thyne Jack put plenty of daylight between himself and the rest of field after the home turn to win by 20 lengths under Robbie Power.
Trainer Eric McNamara later reported 'we expected him to win at Thurles recently (finished second), so he was the form horse here. He will make a nice chaser in time.'
Another to record an easy win was the Davy Russell-ridden Verchoyles Lad in the marathon 3m1f handicap chase. The Midlands National at this venue later this Summer is on Verchoyles Lad's agenda according to his rainer John Carr who also mentioned that the Perth Gold Cup in June is another possability for the son of Treasure Hunter.
Edward O'Grady's Leonardo De Vinci's won the opening four year old maiden hurdle, and provided Thurles owner Eamonn Ryan with his first winner. The son of Sadler's Wells had been in training with the owner's brother, Kevin Ryan, in England but was transferred to run over hurdles in Ireland on the English trainer's recommendation.
Top amateur rider Roger Loughran stepped in for a winning ride on Night Busker after Paddy Flood had received bruising in a fall earlier. Trainer Dessie Hughes later reported 'Night Busker will avoid handicap chases because he is less than 16 hands high.'
Arthur Moore's Itsallgreektome was a surprise winner for many when landing the older horses' maiden hurdle under jockey Conor O'Dwyer. According to Moore, the winner 'will go chasing sooner rather than later but may have one more run over hurdles.'
