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50/1 Cheiliuradh doesn't surprise Kelly

Cheiliuradh leads them over the lastCheiliuradh leads them over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Cheiliuradh was too strong for her rivals in the opening maiden hurdle at Wexford as she rewarded her backers at a whopping 50/1.

The four-year-old filly made headway into fourth at the second last and stayed on stoutly to grab the initiative before the final flight. She was kept up to her work by Sean Flanagan to win this two and a half mile contest by three lengths from Silken Thomas (4/1). Baily Moon at 8/1 took third while 1/4 favourite Timing'severything weakened before the straight and was pulled up before the second last. Mark Walsh, rider of Timing'severything, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount choked in running and was pulled up. He was examined by the Turf Club veterinary officer at the request of the Stewards and was found to be coughing post-race.

Successful trainer David Harry Kelly said: "It wasn't that big of a surprise. When we got her she was supposed to have a bit of wind trouble so we built her and built her and built her. She hasn't done a thing wrong. We ran her in a schooling race and she flew home so I said to Sean to keep filling her up and he was brilliant on her.

"Sean rides this place particularly well but I'm probably biased because he is my jockey!

"I'm delighted for her owners (the Staffords from Kilmore Quay in Wexford) and this is their first horse with me. They bred her as well. The family has gone a bit old, it is a nice family but the dam hadn't bred a track winner so that will liven it up for them a bit.

"She is a nice horse and she is improving. She was working well at home. There was a suspected problem with her palate before, we couldn't see it at home but you are always wondering when it comes to crunch time.

"She will probably stick to mares race, I don't know how she will handle real winter ground as she is only a slip of thing."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.