Hardy Diamond registers 2nd Kilbeggan success “She jumped and travelled nicely, she missed the second last but winged the last and galloped to the line,” reported winning jockey Jack Kennedy after his mount Hardy Diamond edged a thriller in the Smiddys Pub Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan. Eventual runner-up Pride Of Place did a lot right, travelling and mainly jumping well in a prominent position. They did come close late on, and it could have went either way, with the winning margin being a head. There were five and a half lengths back to Bestaline in third. When asked if the front pair came close late on Kennedy elaborated:- “A small bit, it’s just the layout of the track really. My one was battling away well.” Kennedy's boss Gordon Elliott has care of 6/1 shot Hardy Diamond for the Cullentra Racing Club, and the course winning hurdler was aided by the addition of cheek-pieces here. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Little Yank, trained by John Patrick Ryan, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. J.C. Gainford, rider of Solly Attwell, trained by Cian Collins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly. (GC & EM)
