'It's grand to come over here' - JJ Slevin warms up for big Saturday ride with victory on Lily Du Berlais in feature
Stuart Crawford became the first Irish trainer to strike in Britain in the new season when Lily Du Berlais landed the rescheduled Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Handicap Hurdle under JJ Slevin.
Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's eight-year-old justified 9-2 favouritism when running down Politacus in the closing stages of the £50,000 contest. Brucio, for the same connections, finished third.
Victory was a boost for Slevin as he bids to plunder another big British prize on Saturday with Lark In The Mornin, who is short as 7-4 for the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. The Joseph O'Brien-trained runner has not been seen since winning the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Slevin, riding his first Kelso winner at the fifth attempt, told Racing TV: "It's grand to come over here. She's been a good mare all the way along – she won a Grade 2 bumper and she's got a right good page. She'll be a nice mare for the breeding shed one day but there's plenty of fun to be had before then."
The race was one of two rescheduled for this fixture after Kelso's Racing Post Go North Finals card in April was cancelled, the other being the bumper worth £40,000, which went to Dedicated Hero.
The five-year-old stayed on powerfully to record a double for Sandy Thomson and Ryan Mania, the pair earlier striking with Faithfulflyer in the 2m5f handicap hurdle.
Mania said: "He's a proper horse. When I rode him last time it was like I did everything I could to get him beat and he still pulled it out of the fire and won nicely. It's great to come and do that under penalty on ground he probably didn't love."
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
inReports
- 'He is far from a veteran and he's hungrier than ever' - Dermot Weld teams up with the Aga Khan for a famous Oaks triumph
- 'Why rush her back?' - Karl Burke sets out autumn target Cheveley Park via black-type race in France for impressive Teej A
- 'She'll be better than today' - Ryan Moore confident Ylang Ylang will improve after Oaks disappointment
- Chepstow: 'Special filly' Jacquelina continues rampant handicap rise with storming success
- Carlisle: Test Of Love defies penalty in style to leave Sir Mark Prescott pondering next move
- Epsom Derby betting offer: get £40 in free bets with Ladbrokes for the big race at Epsom
- Champions League final odds boost: claim Sky Bet's exclusive 50-1 odds for 1+ shots on target during Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham betting offer: get enhanced odds of 40-1 for Bellingham to have 1+ shots on target in the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Champions League final
- Champions League final double odds boost: get 100-1 for Borussia Dortmund to win OR 40-1 for Real Madrid
- Epsom Derby festival Ladies Day betting offer: claim £40 in free bets from Ladbrokes for the Betfred Oaks and more
- 'He is far from a veteran and he's hungrier than ever' - Dermot Weld teams up with the Aga Khan for a famous Oaks triumph
- 'Why rush her back?' - Karl Burke sets out autumn target Cheveley Park via black-type race in France for impressive Teej A
- 'She'll be better than today' - Ryan Moore confident Ylang Ylang will improve after Oaks disappointment
- Chepstow: 'Special filly' Jacquelina continues rampant handicap rise with storming success
- Carlisle: Test Of Love defies penalty in style to leave Sir Mark Prescott pondering next move
- Epsom Derby betting offer: get £40 in free bets with Ladbrokes for the big race at Epsom
- Champions League final odds boost: claim Sky Bet's exclusive 50-1 odds for 1+ shots on target during Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham betting offer: get enhanced odds of 40-1 for Bellingham to have 1+ shots on target in the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Champions League final
- Champions League final double odds boost: get 100-1 for Borussia Dortmund to win OR 40-1 for Real Madrid
- Epsom Derby festival Ladies Day betting offer: claim £40 in free bets from Ladbrokes for the Betfred Oaks and more