Champ Kiely (near side) beating Bellaney Lord© Photo Healy Racing
Champ Kiely made a successful start under rules when justifying 6/4 favouritism in the Athea INH Flat Race at Limerick.
Jody Townend sent the son of Ocovango to the front approaching the straight but he was strongly pressed under two furlongs out by Bellaney Lord who hugged the inside rail.
The pair drew clear to fight out the finish with Willie Mullins’ charge getting the better of things in the closing stages to score by half a length. Monishter Are Mwee could find no extra in the straight finishing 16 lengths back in third.
Townend said, "He's a big boy for a small girl! He was in my hands the whole way but when I went for him it took him a while to quicken up and is still a bit green.
"He was doing all the right things at home and please God he is another nice one for the Mastersons."
(TW & AM)
