Anodandawink made the 7:18 at Kilbeggan look like the formality the market expected, winning the Smiddys Pub Mullingar Handicap Chase by four lengths at 6/5 favourite — and landing our preview verdict in the process.
| Pos | Horse | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Anodandawink | Peter Smithers (7) | 6/5F |
| 2nd | Kings Jet | Ricky Doyle | 8/1 |
| 3rd | The Little Yank | Michael Kenneally | 11/4 |
The Race Story
The race lost some of its shape before the tape went up, with Mistyburn — the 3/1 value line — a non-runner on veterinary advice, leaving just four to face the starter over the three-mile-one trip. It changed nothing about the outcome. Claimer Peter Smithers, whose 7lb allowance our preview flagged as the clincher, had Ciaran Murphy’s improving chaser jumping fluently at the head of affairs, and from three out the only question was the margin. The clock backed up the eye: the time was around six seconds faster than standard.
Kings Jet ran his best race in a while for second at 8/1, with The Little Yank third. Zolpharine, bidding for a third win from four starts after victories at Limerick and Tramore, was the disappointment of the race — sent off 9/4 second favourite and beaten out of the frame in a field of four. The win completed a double on the card for the in-form Murphy yard after Convincing’s 7/1 success in the 5:48.
Tipster Accountability
The Kilbeggan preview verdict was emphatic on Anodandawink — “a young staying chaser on the up” — and 6/4 this morning became 6/5 at the off. A winning call, though it arrived too late for the 40/1 four-leg acca, which died with Syosset and Pets Georgina earlier on the card. None of the tracked tipsters in today’s tipster review were involved.
Looking Ahead
The 7:48 KEPAK Handicap Chase, the €25,000 feature of the evening, is next: Ceanndana was the 5/2 morning favourite for Ross O’Sullivan, and our preview’s each-way value call is Rexem at 6/1 for John C McConnell. Rocky’s Diamond won the 6:48 for the value column earlier — the shortlist is in form.
