Ad Caelum defies topweight to pounce late under McGill The John Patrick Ryan trained Ad Caelum defied topweight to land the Burleigh Accountancy Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe under Dara McGill. Sent off 13/2, the mare was held up in rear early on, before gradually working her way into contention on the final circuit. Travelling strongly in third after jumping the penultimate flight, Ad Caelum went second after the last. Pushed along to join leader Ladiam entering the straight, the six-year-old soon went on. Keeping on well inside the final furlong, the eventual winner scored by four-and-a-quarter lengths from the last named. Winning trainer John Patrick Ryan said: "I was sick that she didn't get into a Listed hurdle at Galway, as she was second reserve and the first reserve got it. She is high class and progressive. "I didn't break her until she was a five-year-old so she is seriously progressive and has a great pedigree.' Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
