Allo Al Khawaneej justifies support in Kilbeggan season opener The father and son team of Charles and Philip Byrnes landed the opening race of the season at Kilbeggan as Allo Al Khawaneej justified support in the Spring Two Day NH Race Meeting Maiden Hurdle. The Nathaniel gelding ran four times on the Flat for Owen Burrows as a three-year-old and, following a lengthy absence, made a promising start for current connections in a Naas maiden hurdle earlier this month. The 4/1 chance, supported on track from 15/2, made headway to lead at the final flight and kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Walk On Annilog by three and a quarter lengths. Eyeeye finished a further two and a half lengths back in third. Charles Byrnes said, “We were happy with his run the last day and thought he had an each-way chance. “He picked up an injury and that’s why he wasn’t out last year. He’s handicapped on the Flat and can be a dual-purpose horse for the summer. “The syndicate are from all over the place — Clifden, Navan, Portlaoise and Clare.”
