The progressive BAL KAUTO drew clear to complete a hat-trick of wins at Downpatrick on Saturday.

The Killeen Glebe graduate justified favouritism on his second start for Declan Queally last month and went on to make a winning chase debut at Clonmel. Dropping back to two miles and three furlongs at the weekend, he travelled strongly throughout under Shane Fitzgerald and led approaching the final fence. Soon clear, he won by nine lengths, with another eleven lengths back to the third horse.

Speaking after the race, Queally said, “He’s in right order, a lovely sharp horse and jumps like a cat. He’s a real bonny horse and he is able to flick along on nice ground. I’m mad about him.”

Bal Kauto was the first store Killeen Glebe sold under our own name, with previous graduates having been consigned by Limekiln Stud.