Byrnes’ big day
Cloudy Bays set up the brace for the Limerick trainer with an impressive 14-length victory over Be My Belle in the Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase and has now earned a step up in grade for his next start.
The seven-year-old jumped well for Ross Geraghty to make all the running in the 100,000 contest, despite a 16lb rise in the ratings for an easy success in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November.
Afterwards Byrnes said: “We had a small worry about the soft ground but after that performance I would have no hesitation in running the horse in the Hennessy Gold Cup (at Leopardstown on February 8).”
Dromlease Express meanwhile benefited from a patient John Allen ride to complete the double in the Pierse Hurdle.
The 6-1 joint-favourite was held up at the rear of the 19-runner field by the 7lb claimer, as Larkhill Jo cut out the running at a good pace in the 130,000 feature.
On the run to the penultimate flight, Macs Joy went on pressed by Georges Girl with Dromlease Express making relentless headway on the outside.
Producing a good turn of foot, Dromlease Express quickened to lead at the last and a good jump there settled the issue.
The six-year-old only had to be kept up to his work to beat Macs Joy (14-1) by three and a half lengths to land a nice touch for connections.
Georges Girl (7-1) was third with Steel Band (20-1) back in fourth.
Beechcourt, the other market leader, flattered briefly coming off the final bend but soon cried enough and dropped out of contention to finish back in 13th place.
Byrnes, who has 25 horses in training but moves to a new 40-box yard next week, said: “He’s a tough little horse and it took a long time for him to develop.
“He showed a little bit more in his second season. He finished fourth in a novice hurdle in Galway and after that we thought a lot more of him.
“We really fancied him today and we were thinking that if he was within three or four lengths turning for home he’d win. He’ll stay more than two miles.”
Allen, 19, from Cork was recording his 12th and biggest success to date.
After yesterday’s win Dromlease Express was given a 12-1 quote by Cashmans for the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
