Turbo impresses in Kilbeggan© Photo Healy Racing
On a day on which his 16-year-old brother won on his first racecourse ride at Limerick, Kevin Sexton got in on the act on Turbo who zoomed clear in Kilbeggan.
The Getaway gelding tracked Blaze A Trail before picking up the lead from him approaching six out.
He increased his lead to three lengths jumping the next, and kept rolling along at the head of affairs in this extended two mile five beginners' chase. Abbi Shore cut his margin down before three out, but Turbo found another gear and had that rival scrubbed along at the penultimate fence.
He put in a lovely jump and soon has the pursuers off the bridle. He readily moved clear turning in without Sexton asking him a question.
The opposition were run ragged at the last as Turbo cruised in by an easy 15 lengths at 16/1. Scully's Dream was a remote second at 22/1, some nine lengths in front of Aprils Joy the 6/4 favourite.
Trainer Jimmy Finn said: “He was the highest-rated horse so I suppose he was entitled to do that.
“The horses weren’t firing last year for some reason so hopefully that’s the first of a few more winners.
“He’ll probably go to Galway. He’s rated 109 over hurdles so he could go for a handicap hurdle or maybe something like the Galway Blazers. He has a few options.”
Ryan Sexton guided Stellaire Enfant home at 22/1 in the apprentice handicap at Limerick.
The Stewards interviewed S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Blaze A Trail, trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle, concerning his riding in this race where it appeared that he stopped riding before the finishing line and subsequently lost sixth place. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that S.F. O'Keefe was in breach of Rule 212 A (iv), in that he eased his mount without good reason before the finishing line and having considered his record in this regard suspended him for two race days and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
