The colours of J P McManus are no stranger to the winners enclosure at Ballybrit, and the champion owner only had to wait until the second race of this year's Festival to get on the scoresheet as Carlingford Lough landed the salthillhotel.com Handicap Hurdle in fine style.
The lightly-raced King's Theatre gelding, successful in a maiden at Roscommon just three weeks ago, was kept wide throughout by Mark Walsh before making his move on the approach to the straight.
The 12/1 (from 14's) winner impressively made up ground on the front-running Tajweed (14/1) to lead early on the run-in, and kept on really well to beat that rival by three and a half lengths. First Trim (14/1) was a further three quarters of a length adrift in third, while the 7/2 favourite De Senectute never really got in a blow and just kept on one paced to finish sixth.
Winning trainer John Kiely said, “To be honest he's surprised me as I didn't expect him to jump so well. The plan was to give him a good look at his hurdles as he's so inexperienced. He's a promising horse, and hopefully there is more to come. He's really a chaser.”
Alan Magee
