RACING:Cailin Alainn landed her first Graded win since 2006 when she ploughed her way through the Thurles mud to take the MacLochlainn Road Markings Ltd. Kinloch Brae Chase.
Charles Byrnes’s mare notched up a string of wins three years ago culminating in Grade One victories at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown, but has failed to live up to that promise and her sole victory since came in a moderate event at this track in March last year.
Sent off a 7-2 chance for this Grade Two feature, Cailin Alainn was always travelling well under Niall Madden and was one of only three in with a chance turning into the straight.
As Ponmeoath’s early charge faded away, Glenfinn Captain was left to battle it out with the winner but he blundered his way through the last with jockey Barry Geraghty losing his irons.
That left Cailin Alainn in the driving set and Madden still had a little up his sleeve to prevail by two lengths at the line.
Byrnes said: “It is good that she is paying her way again. She was well in at the weights and the strong pace suited her.
“If there is a handy field in the Hennessy she might run there but it is unlikely as she is a long way behind the best.
“She might go for a handicap like the William Hill at Cheltenham in March.”
Cashmans make Cailin Alainn 12-1 from 20s for the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown on Sunday week.
Moskova (7-2) took the other headline event at the track, landing the Grade Three Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase by three lengths for Paddy Flood.
Winning trainer Paul Nolan’s brother James said: “I thought Paddy Flood gave her a peach of a ride. She takes her time to warm up in a race but when she does she is good.
“It’s 47 days since she ran last and that was a bit of a help. We’ve no plans but she won over two and a half miles there so there are a few more races open to her now.”