TWO CHELTENHAM CONTENDERS EMERGE
Spinningayarn completed a smart double for Killeen Glebe graduates at Navan on Saturday when making a winning rules debut for Gordon Elliott at Navan.
Bought as a foal with Mags O’Toole at Tattersalls Ireland, the Order Of St George gelding was resold by Killeen Glebe at the Derby Sale for €60,000. The bay made an impressive debut in a four-year-old for Sean Doyle before being purchased privately by Robcour.
He faced some well-regarded rivals in Saturday’s bumper, including fellow Killeen Glebe graduate Sine Qua Non, who was bought by JP McManus after bolting up on debut for Jonathan Fogarty. Harry Swan settled Spinningayarn in midfield, asking him to quicken two furlongs from home and produced his challenge a furlong later. Rallying up the inside, he led close home, going on to score by half a length, with another three parts of a length back to Sine Qua Non in third.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up going for the Cheltenham Bumper,” Elliott said after the race, with Spinningayarn subsequently quoted at 25/1 for the Grade 1.
“He’s very nice,” the trainer continued. “He’s definitely going to stay down the bumper route this season, and there’s a lot of improvement in him. He will go up in trip down the line and will make a lovely stayer. He’s nice and I like him.”
Grade 1 performer back to best
Killeen Glebe graduate James’s Gate finished third in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper, and after last season was curtailed by injury, he appeared better than ever when winning a Punchestown maiden hurdle last month. Now trained by Martin Brassil, the Sean and Bernardine Mulryan-owned bay followed up with a taking performance in Saturday’s Rated Novice Hurdle.
Mark Walsh’s mount looked the likely winner approaching the final flight, but after his hind legs went under him, gamely recovered to regain the advantage and went on to lead by half a length on the line. Adding to the impressive nature of the win was the race’s honour roll featuring the likes of Banbridge and Galvin.
After the race, Martin Brassil said: “He jumped really well, it was the only hurdle that was any bit of a blip. We are very pleased with him. He was a classy horse in his bumpers – third in a Cheltenham bumper and that was only his second run. He’s a horse with a bit of class.
On future plans, the trainer commented: “We might enter him for probably a Coral Cup or maybe even one of the novice races, we’ll see how he is.”
James’s Gate was bought by Killeen Glebe with Kevin Ross as a foal from Garryrichard Stud at Tattersalls Ireland’s November NH Sale. The son of Shantou missed the store sales, but after being sent to Pat Doyle, he was sold privately to current connections based on Doyle’s recommendation.
Consistent type returns to winning ways
Killeen Glebe has celebrated three winners in two days, with Clonbury Bridge having gained the fifth career success at Fairyhouse the previous day. Charlie O’Dwyer partnered the Presenting gelding in the handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs, the pair scoring by a length.
Winning trainer Philip Dempsey said: “That was great – Clonbury Bridge is a great little horse and the lads (CJ & T Syndicate) have had some fun with him.”
Bought by Killeen Glebe as a weanling with Kevin Ross, Clonbury Bridge was resold through Limekiln Stud at the Goffs Arkle Sale to his trainer for €21,000.