Zenon (blinkers) and Shane Foley lead them home in the Killarney feature© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins started the afternoon on the right note when Shewearsitwell took the mares maiden hurdle at Sligo, and it got better for him at Killarney when Zenon captured the feature, the Kerry Group Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap.
Mullins’ fellow Kilkenny man Shane Foley was in the plate, and the season’s leading rider continued on his merry way by guiding the Dreaming Cups Syndicate-owned Galileo gelding home by a length and a quarter from Golden Spear
The former John Gosden inmate was winning for the first time for Mullins, and here he tracked the leaders on the outer.
Fourth at the halfway stage, Zenon was closer and was pushed along two furlongs out.
Ridden and leading a furlong out, the six-year-old kept on well inside the final furlong to prevail.
"He had a very good run in the Connacht Hotel (amateur handicap at Galway). Willie was a bit worried about the ground and I was keen to stay out a bit; the ground is chopped up and is a little better on the outside,” reported Foley.
"He travelled around good, enjoyed it and had a good look when he got to the front.
"He's probably not badly handicapped and is versatile regards ground and trip and would go further no problem."
The Stewards looked at an incident inside the final 100 yards involving Zenon, ridden by S. Foley, placed first and Great Bear (GB), ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed third, where it appeared Great Bear (GB) seemed to suddenly shy from Zenon. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered a report from C.D. Hayes that his mount did not receive interference but shied of his own accord, the Stewards decided that no further action was warranted.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined De Name Escapes Me trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(TW & EM)
