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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Pairc Na Ngael makes class count in Kieran Kelly Memorial

Sat 6th Aug 2022, 19:42

Pairc Na Ngael wins under Mark Walsh at Kilbeggan Pairc Na Ngael wins under Mark Walsh at Kilbeggan
© Photo Healy Racing

Pairc Na Ngael defied topweight to run out a game winner of the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan.

The Charles Byrnes trained eight-year-old was stepping up to 3m for the first time but had no stamina worries as he saw it out right to the line.

Held up in mid-division early doors, as Ardaghs Choice went clear, the JP McManus owned gelding moved into contention on the final circuit and went on travelling easily entering the straight.

With the final fence omitted due to a low lying sun, Mark Walsh merely had to push the winner out hands and heels to hold runner-up Back The West

Ardaghs Choice ran a remarkable race back in sixth place. A distance clear heading out on the final circuit, he virtually refused to race and was headed, before picking up the bridle and getting back in front. It was only inside the final half mile that his exertions began to tell.

Regarding Pairc Na Ngael, Charles Byrnes said; “It's been a long struggle to get him to win and I'm glad to get it.

“His jumping is just average and he hit a few. The strong gallop probably suited him.

“He ran well the last day and was probably entitled to win off that.

“He'll keep at that game and we'll look for a 0-116 or 0-123 now and see what way we go.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.