Byrnes Beats Bookies

By Caitriona Fenton

This weekend saw Limerick-based trainer Charles Byrnes have the bookies running for cover again. In Listowel on Saturday Campbonnais the heavily backed favourite in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle went to post at even money. Ridden by Barry Geraghty he never looked in any danger and went on to win in a cosy fashion. Given the way the horse jumped he is definitely a chaser in the making. The second gamble for Byrnes came in Kilbeggan on Sunday with 7/4 favourite Classic Frontier. Under Andrew McNamara he went on to win the Dunbia Handicap Chase in good style. Another Byrnes-trained favourite who was not so lucky although could be worth following is Napa Star. The four time flat winner fell in the opening Maiden Hurdle in Listowel on Saturday in what was his hurdling debut. Davy Russell was injured in the fall and missed out on the previously mentioned winners.

Another win that impressed me during the week was Stakers. The New Zealand import owned by J.P. McManus won the ‘Tom and Jerry’ Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary on Thursday. Clearly loving the good ground he jumped economically and won with a bit to spare. At 11/2 he looked to be good value for my money. In his first appearance in a bumper last season he was second to Donnas Palm, taking this into account combined with this win, I think he is one to follow for the summer.

New Rules put up one of the best performances of the weekend, second only to Workforce in the Derby. He won Saturday’s Bumper at Listowel un-extended in a brilliant time of 3 minutes 49 seconds. Robbie McNamara dropped the horse in early and after a few traffic problems turning into the straight he turned it up a notch and won in blistering pace. With the connections of D.K. Weld and J.P. McManus he is sure to be headed for Galway.

Dirar was another winner who was impressive at Listowel. The five-year-old who was off the track since December won the 2m Handicap Hurdle comfortably under Paul Carberry. Gordon Elliot was stated as saying the Galway Hurdle was the main aim for the horse with a prep run on the flat in Ayr in the meantime. Elliot is renowned for his British raids and I’m sure this run will be no different.

Another Horse that could be Galway bound is Gudnis Gracious Me. The John O’Shea-trained mare won the I.T.B.A. Mares Handicap Hurdle in Ballinrobe last week. She is very tough and battled hard under Sean McDermott to win by half a length. This mare could take the hill in Galway in her stride and might be one to watch for the Mare’s Handicap.

There is no doubt that the horse that deserves the most praise this week was Workforce. We all know what an amazing Derby it turned out to be with a new track record to boot. What really made it all the more exciting was that the pacemaker – At First Sight – looked to have the race for a moment. Aidan O’Brien’s third string set a strong early pace and had everything behind him except for the winner in trouble two furlongs out. The 100/1 shot stayed on best of the rest to finish a gallant second under Seamie Heffernan. Perhaps this horse might benefit from a step up in distance. Who knows he could be just the horse for the Ledger!

By Caitriona Fenton