James lives up to his name to land a gamble Michael Kenneally followed up a treble at Fairyhouse yesterday with an all-the-way victory on James The Brave, who landed a gamble in the ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Novice Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown. The Padraig Butler-trained gelding was let down by his jumping over fences at Limerick last time but was supported at all prices down from 10/1 overnight to go off the 6/4 favourite. A winner over fences at Killarney in October, he held a couple of lengths advantage approaching the final flight but needed to be driven right out to hold off Lough Nigara by a neck. The runner-up was withdrawn at Fairyhouse yesterday after failing to line-up and was again very reluctant at the start before eventually consenting to jump off with the other six runners. Mojoe couldn’t find any extra on the run-in a further seven and a half lengths back in third. Kenneally said, “He’s well named, he’s tough. The owners (Red Strand Syndicate) are a good group, they’re fun. It’s nice to see the kids there as well, it brings a bit of life to racing.” The in-form claimer is now just one behind (23-22) Eoin Staples in the conditional jockeys championship and reflected on the season adding: “It’s been really good. My agent Gary Cribbin is doing a huge job for me. “Dec Queally has been a good supporter of mine, and Gordon (Elliott). John Ryan has been very good to me. A lot of people have been supporting me, obviously Denis Hogan as well. There are too many to name, but it’s been very good and I’m delighted. “I’m a small bit old to be getting my head too big. Maturity is good, I probably wouldn’t be going to the same places I would when I was 22. I’m glad it’s going well and hopefully long may it last. “Hopefully I’ll just keep riding winners and keep making good contacts. “Eoin will be very hard to catch, he’s a top class rider and he’s going places too.” Quotes by Gary Carson
