Kilworth's Adrian Heskin stars at Naas races
Thursday March 11 2010
SEVENTEEN-YEAR old talented teenager Adrian Heskin from Kilally Kilworth, showed star qualities at Naas races on Sunday last where he oozed confidence, on 12/1 chance Dancing Tornado, to easily win the € 25,000 Naas Supporters handicap hurdle over 2m 3f.
Confidently ridden, he made significant progress into 9th four out, went 5th traveling well two out, cruised into second before the last, and stayed on strongly on the uphill finish to win by less than a length, under an ultra drive, to give the outstanding seven pound claiming apprentice his 11th win of his blossoming racing career.
Trained at Patrickswell Co Limerick by Michael Hourigan, who reflected: "I'm more pleased for Adrian than the horse, he is a very good young rider."
The winner is owned by JP McManus, and will probably go back chasing.
At the same meeting Innishannon Bandon rider Kevin Coleman, who has been on the injured list, since breaking his leg before Christmas, returned to race riding with a bang, where on his first ride back, on favourite Whodoyouthink, won the opening novice hurdle, by 31/2 lengths for trainer Ollie McKiernan, who enthused "it's great to have Kevin back, he's done very well to be back so soon."
Lisgoolds Paul Townend and his first cousin Davy Condon, fought out a thrilling finish to the featured Leinster national handicap chase, with Pauls mount Ballytrim, beating Blursea Cracker by half a length.
Twenty three old amature Brian Lenihan, from Clancy Street Fermoy, scored the fourth success of his most promising career, at Doneraile point to point races on Sunday, on Desertmore Star, which he produced from a long way back, to win the novice riders open lightweight, easily by five lengths, for Charleville trainer Denis Leahy, and owner Brendan O'Brien.
- Pat Griffin
