Orandi sparks celebrations for Trim connections

Irish Champions Festival closed with another big handicap heist by Meath trainer Tony Martin in the Premier Handicap at the Curragh on Sunday.

The 40/1 outsider Orandi reprised the form which saw him win the Mile at Galway in July.

Ronan Whelan uncorked a decisive burst from the tail of the field to lead inside the final 50 yards. Orandi denied fellow 40/1 chance Lord Massusus by half a length.

Owned by Trim business man CJ Murtagh and his father-in-law Bertie Hourihan, the eight year old has produced some massive runs on the biggest stages and trainer Martin was delighted for the winning connections CJ Murtagh from Trim and his father-in-law Bertie Hourihane.

Orandi recorded his third Premier Handicap win when coming from a seemingly impossible position to take the €150,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Northfields Handicap at the Curragh.

The Tony Martin-trained gelding, who won the Lincoln here last year, had most of his 21 rivals ahead of him over a furlong out.

However, the eight-year-old produced a tremendous burst on the outer under Ronan Whelan, replacing the sidelined Robbie Colgan, to get up close home for a half-length verdict.

“What a little horse. A great man from Trim, CJ Murtagh. It couldn't work out for a better man than CJ,” said Martin.

“We were stepping up to a mile-and-two and we just didn't know. It was a trial and error situation. I just said to the boys that he was in great order and would run a big race but didn't know whether he'd get that extra two furlongs. I thought he would because he has a relaxed way of racing.

“The jockey was absolutely superb. I thought we were a bit far out of it, but he knew what he had under him and fortunately enough it worked out.

“We got him from France, and it took him a year-and-a-half to get moving. He was very jarred of his action. Fortunately enough it all came right.

“The plan was to go to Ascot for the mile, but when we get a mile-and-two now I don't know. I feel sorry for Robbie Colgan, he's in a bit of bother at the moment but hopefully it'll all pass. He's a great man.”

Maire Rua got Colin Keane’s 32nd birthday off to the perfect start in the opening race of Irish Champions weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday, the juvenile fillies stakes race over seven furlongs. Keane came with an irresistible surge on the 5/2 chance trained by Ger Lyons.

She defeated the 2-1 favourite Timeless Tale by half a length. It was the fourth time in six years for Lyons and Keane to win the Listed race which opens the Irish Champions Festival.

The six-time Irish champion jockey was impressed by the way his mount picked up in the straight but said that she needs experience.

“She is nice filly going forward. She was out quick and I got onto the tail of Billy [Lee on Timeless Tale].

“She picked up well in the straight and she will have no problem going a mile. She needs racing and needs to learn more,” said Keane.

Lyons was back in the winners enclosure in the second race on the card as he trained Krasimer to win the Premier Handicap.

Apprentice jockey Reese Holohan made the most of the opportunity on the lightly weighted gelding. Held up off the pace Krasimir finished wide late and fast to deny British raider Vafortino by a head at odds of 15/ 2.

Keane’s birthday celebrations got much better when he partnered the talented Blue Bolt to victory in one of the feature races on the card, the Group One Matron Stakes at odds of 4/5.

Keane encouraged Blue Bolt forward into the lead two furlongs from home. The pair opened up a gap in the final 100 yards and sealed the victory by two and a quarter lengths.

Keane who was on board the talented four-year-old filly for his bosses Juddmonte and trainer Andrew Balding.

"You'd be hoping she would do that. She has gone from strength to strength this year and she's a very good mare,” said Keane.