Golden Glow put up a courageous front-running performance to land the featured Brandon Hotel 4YO Hurdle at Tralee yesterday afternoon. Barry Geraghty sent the 11/2 chance straight into the lead and that is where the Joe Crowley-trained gelding stayed throughout the two-mile contest.
The winner looked like being headed in the closing stages as the favourite Portant Fella came with a determined challenge after the last. However, the finish arrived in time for Golden Glow who prevailed by a short head with Baringo eight lengths away in third.
Norman Williamson took the opening two races aboard Dariole and the Edward O’Grady-trained Mail Man. The latter took the 0-109 handicap chase by a length-and-a-half from the 7/2jf Ceannairceach. Williamson sent his mount to the front turning for home and the pair didn’t look to be in any danger from the second last.
The Michael Halford-trained Dariole made a winning debut over fences to provide Williamson with the second leg of his brace when he defeated the 11/8 favourite Blue by a length in the novice chase.
“He loves fast ground and is very genuine. If the ground stays as it is he could go to Listowel. He’s a versatile as they come and I wouldn’t mind a few more like him,” said Halford.
Lowlander (5/4) followed up his success at Downpatrick on Monday with a fluent success in the novice hurdle. Paul Carberry sent the Dermot Weld-trained gelding to the front before the second last and the pair eased clear to beat Room To Room Gold by four lengths.
Richard Harding gave Minella Captain (5/1jt) a great ride to land the QR Handicap Hurdle for Michael Hourigan. The Phardante gelding led approaching the second last and Harding galvanised his mount in the closing stages to hold off Take A Drop by a half length.
“He’ll probably go to Listowel. Paul (Hourigan) seems to think he’s better going left handed and I agree,” said Hourigan.
Elsehwere Lucagene got up to win the Ladies Handicap by a neck from Large Commotion. Lorna Murphy, who was riding her first winner, had the Val O’Brien-trained filly in the front rank throughout before coming with a well-timed challenge to lead in the dying strides.
Filed by Stephen Cummins
