Lahinch Three and Philip Byrnes (left) strike the front on the home turn© Photo Healy Racing
Strong in the betting all day, the Emmet Mullins-trained Lahinch Three (5/6 fav, from 2/1 this morning) was fully expected to deliver on debut in the Kilbeggan (Pro/Am) Flat Race and duly obliged with a seven length victory.
He made good headway to get into contention half a mile out and was shaken up by Philip Byrnes to lead over a furlong out.
The race was soon in safe keeping with Bowtie (7/1) fending off Watergrange Jack (16/1) by three quarters of a length to claim second spot.
Padraigh O’Rourke, owner/breeder, along with his wife Margaret, of the Beat Hollow gelding, said: “He’s from the same family as Court Leader who did well for us and the dam is a half-sister to Paloma Blue.
“Emmet said this horse has really turned inside out in the last fortnight and he’s won well.
"Cape Gentleman is running tomorrow in Royal Ascot (to be ridden by Rachael Blackmore in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes). He's in good form and hopefully he'll also run well.”
O'Rourke won the South of Ireland Amateur Golf Championship three times at Lahinch between 1979 and 1985.
Quotes from Alan Magee
