Kinbara and Ben Harvey pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Kinbara easily accounted for his 13 rivals in the Pat Farrell Memorial 5th Maiden Hurdle, completing an across the card double for John McConnell, who was earlier on the mark at Bellewstown with Mythical Phoenix
Successful on his sole point-to-point start when trained by Stuart Crawford, the Mahler five-year-old followed-up on his debut for current connections in a bumper at Killarney last summer.
Tried in Grade 2 company at Aintree, he finished in mid-division, filling the runner-up spot on his most recent outing at Listowel.
Starting off over flights this evening, the Caroline Ahearn owned bay came in for plenty of market support, going off the 13/8 favourite from early shows of 9/2.
Always towards the head of affairs under Ben Harvey, he established a definite advantage from four out and readily stretched clear on the approach to the straight, coming home 18 lengths to the good. Misty's Gift crashed out at the last when beaten in second, leaving Glendars Mahler (10/1) to fill the runner-up spot under Donagh Meyler.
There was a further three lengths back to Down Around (11/2) in third, with just seven managing to complete the course.
"He is a horse we've always liked and was impressive when he won his bumper at Killarney," Harvey commented.
"In fairness he actually ran okay in Aintree where he didn't get a great trip around. He just bumped into a Willie Mullins bumper horse the last day in Listowel.
"We were confident coming here today as three miles is his trip. It was a funny sort of race to ride in, it was a bit stop start, I was a bit all over the place.
"It's great to say that he can improve from that when he did it so easy.
"For his first run over hurdles I wanted him to have a little bit of company. His jumping improved as we went and he got a bit more confidence. It’s a credit to John and the owners who have been patient with him.
"John has had a five-furlong maiden winner and a three-mile maiden hurdle winner in the space of 20 minutes so it’s not bad going!
"He didn't get a great run around at Listowel the last day and Alex (Harvey) wasn’t really happy that he showed his true colours. He probably came on a bit from it and it was great that he could back it up today.
"We are hopeful that he will shape up into a graded horse in time. He is not one that blows us away at home but he always saves a little bit for himself and that's what you want with these three milers."
