St Denis's Well © Photo Healy Racing
After a poor run at Leopardstown, St. Denis’s Well (13/2) resumed his progression when taking the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Rated Novice Chase.
The fall of Bleu D’enfer at the third-last left Jack Kennedy’s mount in front and he comfortably accounted for Donacheady Gale by four and three quarter lengths.
Ian Donoghue, who trains the Famous Name six-year-old for the Declans Bar Syndicate, said: "I was very confident coming up here today - a few boys weren't and were saying why I was going up into this grade, but sure you have to.
"There wasn't much coming up for him so we took our chance and he did it well.
"He was a good winner that day (over hurdles in Navan) and it was a bit unexpected. Then Jack won two chases on him in three days. We freshened him up there for today.
"I think the plan is Cartmel in May - there's a bunch of boys will wreck the place win, lose or draw!
"Even with Crawford's horse falling, we had him well covered but it would have been nicer to get a lead for a bit longer because he doesn't like being in front. I'd say Jack was happy I had the cheekpieces on him today.
"He had a bad run the last day in Leopardstown, but it didn't suit as they hacked and he just stays all day.
"He's not ground dependent, he was just too weak to handle the soft. He has strengthened up now and he can handle it. Good horses will go on any ground!
"They are a syndicate from Clogherhead and they will enjoy tonight."
On his brother Keith he said: "It was great to see him doing 11 stone over there (Cheltenham) and just shows the dedication he has.
"I didn't think he would want to do 11-3 after being light all last week. They (Kennedy and Donoghue) can fight over him now when we go to Cartmel!"
Quotes from Michael Graham
