Ad Caelum gets up late to land the feature race at Kilbeggan In a photo finish between top and bottom weights, it was the latter, the John Ryan trained Ad Caelum who just got up close home to win the featured Winning Post Service Station Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan. Held up in rear by jockey Sean O'Keeffe, the six-year-old had more in front than behind her going out onto the final circuit. Gradually creeping into contention from three out, the well supported 8/1 chance arrived on the outside with a strong challenge on the run to the final flight. Having led for much of the journey, the Brian Hayes ridden Armed And Fabulous still held a narrow advantage when coming down at that last obstacle. Topweight Dartan came through on the inside rail to lead over 50 yards out but Ad Caelum rallied close home under O'Keeffe to claim a hard fought win by a head. “She’s a smashing mare. She’s only six-year-old and we thought the world of her all the time,” said Ryan. “She lost her form during the winter. She’s a Cloudings, I thought if the ground was well watered today she’d have a right chance. “She’s a good tough honest mare. Herself and her workmate Kate Knows Best, who won the other day, are good mares. I have a bunch of very nice mares and she’s one of them. “She’ll probably go over fences before the season is out. She’s a lovely scopey mare. “They are in great form, that’s four winners in a few days so it’s a great start.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
