Following the well-documented split between Michael Kinane and Ballydoyle, the Tipperary pilot let his riding do the taking, landing a brilliant four-timer at combined odds of just over 355/1 on the last day of flat action at Leopardstown.
The sequence began in the opener. Bookmakers couldn't give Offenbach away in the juvenile maiden (1/1 to 3/1). However the vibe from the 'ring' didn't prove correct on this occasion as the son of Danzig comfortably accounted for the slow starting Khulasah by two lengths. This success gave Kinane his one-hundredth win of the campaign, a feat he was achieving for the seventh time.
Win number two was achieved in contrasting style. Teaming up with trainer James Burns aboard Alexander Duchess, Kinane needed to show all his trademark strength to keep the filly going long enough to fend off the challenge of favourite, Armanatta by a short head.
Particularly successful when teaming up with outside yards this term, this fact wasn't lost on punters who forced the Noel O'Callaghan-owned juvenile from 7/1 into 9/2 in the nursery. Winning trainer Burns said 'she's a filly I've always thought a lot of and I'll be surprised if she doesn't win a stakes race next term'.
Unfortunately, Beef Or Salmon was an absentee from the November handicap owing to ground conditions. Here, Kinane got the leg up on Noel Meade's smart-hurdler, Scottish Memories and the 8/1 shot stayed on well for a neck win over Swiss Roll.
Winning trainer, Meade went North to supervise his runners at Down Royal. Gillian O'Brien, representing the yard suggested that the Houmanyoun gelding will now go for the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse which comes up at the end of the month.
Odds of 11/10 were availed of about Mikado in the Listed Eyrefield Stakes. Supporters of the 4/5 'jolly' didn't have too many worries once Kinane sent his mount to the front early in the straight. Aidan O'Brien's charge crossed the line a length and a half in front to complete the champion rider's quartet.
Harry Rogers came close in the Listed Knockaire Stakes, saddling both the second and the third. Kevin Manning was the man to scupper the Louth handler, giving his father-in-law, Jim Bolger's Bon Expresso a strong drive to prevail by a head.
The winning handler is hopeful that the daughter of Spectrum will remain in training as a four-year-old and that she might get ten furlongs in due course.
Elsewhere, Major Title came late and fast to take the mile handicap for Michael Grassick and Niall McCullagh whilst Charles O'Brien and Fran Berry combined to triumph in the conditions race with Jade Quest.
The closing event saw King Carew make every post a winning one at a good gallop under Billy Lee. Michael Hourigan's 14/1 shot passed the post three and a half lengths to the good.
Pat Cosgrave secured the apprentice rider's title with thirty winners, whilst a minutes silence was observed in Sean Cleary's memory following the opening race.
