Hermino AA lands featured Connaght National under Tom Kelly Jockey Tom Kelly enjoyed one of his biggest successes to date when partnering the Eric McNamara trained Hermino AA to win the featured Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Connacht National Handicap Chase at Roscommon. Sent off 11/1, in the colours of owners Patrick Gerald Lynch and Fiona Loftus, the nine-year-old came through to take over in front after jumping four out. Pressing on into the straight, the eventual winner found plenty over the last three fences, staying on strongly to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths. Conor McNamara said: “He’s a grand horse. He came from England last year and took a little while to find his form and he’s come down a little bit in the handicap as well, he was probably a bit high. “It took him a while to find his confidence as well. He had the blinkers on today and back at a summer track, over an easier fence, he put it all together. “He was good and I imagine we’ll look for something similar in a couple of weeks time. “He definitely needs a bit of a trip anyway and that was brilliant today. “He had a lovely low weight and Tom Kelly gave him a brilliant ride. Tom is in with us two days a week and he’s a very good rider. “He was in Enda Bolger’s for a long time and did very well. He’s a fine rider and will definitely be used plenty.” When asked if he could get into the Galway Blazers he added:- “It’s hard to know, we’ll wait and see nearer the time but he’ll definitely go towards Galway direction anyway.” Quotes by Gary Carson.
