Open Eagle soars to victory as O’meara finishes up on a high
OPEN EAGLE turned the Betfred November Handicap into a rout as he flew to a 12-length success in the big race on the last day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster.
The David O’Meara-trained gelding was a winner at Redcar on Tuesday but made a mockery of his 4lb penalty as jockey Danny Tudhope executed a cunning plan.
He took a wide path on the 15-2 favourite down the far side of the track as he sought better ground, while Jamie Spencer, having his last British turf ride before retirement, led the bulk of the field on Dashing Star on the inner.
Open Eagle was travelling with ease throughout and hit the front with a couple of furlongs to run. And it was soon game over as Open Eagle romped home from Aramist, wi t h Das hi n g St a r an d Communicator in fourth.
Meanwhile, Kitten Rock ran out an impressive winner of the Grade Three Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas.
Trained by Edward O’Grady, Kitten Rock was delivered with a perfectly-timed run by Ruby Walsh to triumph by seven and a half lengths.
Willie Mullins’ Analifet was sent off the 4-5 favourite, and Bryan Cooper was positive from the off, setting the early gallop on testing conditions. But she was clearly under pressure with two to jump.
Kitten Rock was travelling well, though, and when Walsh gave the signal, the 7-2 chance eased clear, with Analifet dropping right away at the finish.
‘He won quite well and I’m happy,’ said O’Grady. ‘We think he’s nice, but I don’t know where we will go now. It’s very difficult with a four-year-old in their second season.’