Skontonovski landed his sixth career success in testing conditions in Killarney last Monday when winning Division One of the Muckross Handicap under Ronan Whelan.
The Harbour Watch gelding broke nicely under Ronan who sent him on to track early leaders Men Of Dreams and High Altitude. Ronan then asked for an effort 2 furlongs out where produced his challenge at the furlong marker along the rail to take the lead and to go on to win by a length and a quarter from the Jarlath Fahey-trained Yokkell.
Speaking afterwards, jockey Ronan Whelan said, “I was chatting with Ado this morning and we weren’t sure whether he’d handle the ground or not. We knew he enjoyed an ease so thought it was worth a go as he was in a good frame of mind and he handled it.
I got a lovely position and he’s a horse you can’t get there too soon on and I’d love to have had another go at a race in Cork when I got there too easy and would have preferred to have challenged later.
He is so consistent and Ado and the team have done a great job with him. He always comes good, especially at this time of year and he is sweeter going a mile these days”.