O’Keeffe overcomes opened rein to win on Bacchanalian Jockey Sean O’Keeffe overcame steering issues in the latter stages of Naas’ Grade 3 William Hill Top Price Guarantee Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle today, before scoring on Bacchanalian (6/4f) which registered a third success of 2025. The four-year-old had previously won at Fairyhouse in January and at today’s venue on February 8, and while he made all in today’s race, O’Keeffe’s reins opened as the pair touched down over the final flight. Bacchanalian was clear of runner-up Kool One when the left rein dropped after that final flight, with O’Keeffe quickly reclaiming the opened-rein before pushing him out for an 11 lengths win. O’Keeffe explained “Bacchanalian jumped the last, I slipped my reins but the buckle-end opened, so I had to grab down and reach for my left rein. I was able to get him back racing alongside the railing and I was lucky nothing came to do me but it was grand to get the win.” Regarding busy Bacchanalian, successful trainer Declan Queally’s son and namesake reported “we were playing with fire running by him at the Dublin Racing Festival and then back here a week later, and again today. “We’ll leave him out in a field for a week and maybe put him away for the Fairyhouse or Punchestown festivals. He definitely won’t go to Cheltenham as he’s had a hard race today. “This was a grand opportunity for him as he likes heavy ground and we’re looking forward to him next season. He’s a decent horse and it’s great to have him.” A bacchanalian party is characterized by any uninhibited or drunken revelry. Quotes from Alan Magee
