Midnight Jet blazes a trail to beat Colombus at Killarney Midnight Jet (5/4f) followed up a Fairyhouse Easter success with another festival win today, landing the Killarney Town Retailers Association Novice Hurdle from runner-up and previously Group 1-placed on-the-Flat Columbus. By the same sire as Gold Cup-winner Gaelic Warrior and out of course bumper-winning mare Ballinderry Moth, Midnight Jet today made all the running under jockey Darragh O’Keeffe to score smartly by nine lengths from Columbus . The Willie Mullins-trained hurdling debutante Columbus had previously scored at Group 3-level at Longchamp in 2024 and finished third in last year’s top-level Preis von Europa at Cologne. Representing winning trainer Henry De Bromhead was assistant Robbie Power, who reported “I thought it was a very professional performance and he has even stepped forward from his run in Fairyhouse. On paper, there was was plenty of strength in today’s race and Willie’s (Mullins) two had good Flat form so we were very worried about them. “I’m delighted with the way he jumped and travelled, and Darragh gave him a lovely ride and got him into such a nice rhythm. “He is fine looking horse, is a fine-mover for a Maxios and Tony (Head, owner) likes to come over for Galway so I’d imagine a novice hurdle will be the plan there.”
