THE CHAMPION jockey Charlie Swan stole the honours at a crowded Thurles yesterday when completing a double aboard Castalino and King Of Kerry.
King Of Kerry battled on tenaciously from the final flight to beat odds-on chance Dardjini by a length in the Carey Bros Vista/Therm Hurdle, after the favourite looked to be travelling like a winner, under Richard Hughes, approaching the final flight.
Joe Crowley, father-in-law of winning trainer Aidan O'Brien, said: "We schooled King of Kerry over hurdles this morning and the only reason we ran him here is we're way short of novice races over the Christmas. He seems to be getting it together and he'll be entered for Toomevara."
Owner-trainer Stephen Ryan will bring his mare Castalino back to Thurles on January 6th to seek a four-timer at the venue after the 10-year-old recorded her third course success under a patient ride from the seven-times champion. Settled towards the rear, Swan coaxed his mount through the field before jumping past Taylor's Quay over the last to win by three, lengths.
Three Scholars recorded a pillar"
to post success in the opener under David Casey, coming home one and a half lengths clear of Bai-Brun Kate, who ran creditably after a near eight-month lay-off.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins expressed his satisfaction on his dual bumper scorer: "He will be a better horse in the spring as he wouldn't be very much at home on that yielding ground. He will be entered for the First Choice Hurdle at Leopardstown."
Local publican Michael O'Gorman saddled Island Champion to win the Dromineer Handicap Hurdle when coming from another parish under in-form jockey Garrett Cotter (20) to collar well supported favourite Fort Deely close to home.
The winner, a 14 to 1 chance, did not help jackpot punters but one lucky winner took home £10,007.25 after Strontium, backed from 3 to 1 to 11 to 10 favourite stormed home under Philip Fenton in the penultimate bumper.
