Byrnes hits the target again with Rockstown Boy
The imposing six-year-old was given a super drive by John Thomas McNamara, taking this race for the first time.
“He gave him a fantastic ride”, exclaimed Byrnes.
Indeed he did, working Rockstown Boy into the contest from off the pace with quite extraordinary confidence.
The winner gradually picked off his rivals through the last half mile, powering to the front inside the furlong pole to beat Le Leopard in tremendous style.
For Byrnes it was the culmination of a plan hatched as far back as Punchestown in the spring.
“We planned this since he ran so well behind Brave Inca at Punchestown”, revealed Byrnes.
“He disappointed in a few flat races, but it has worked out.”
The son of Toulon was handed his mark by the handicapper, after scrambling to a narrow victory in a Leopardstown maiden on his most recent outing.
“There was no point winning that race by ten lengths”, said the canny Byrnes.
“If okay he will come back here on Wednesday (conditions hurdle), he looks well in.”
Rockstown Boy is owned by the Morning Dew Racing Club, made up of a whoppping 72 members from all over Ireland.
Said Byrnes: “The Club started about two years ago. We hoped to get 20-30, but it reached 72. They have four horses with me and I am very grateful.”
One suspects, the members are pretty happy at where they have their inmates stabled as well!
Dermot Weld made his intentions for the week clear from the start when Zeroberto easily won the opening GPT Sligo Novice Hurdle.
Confidently handled by Jim Culloty, the winner came from off the pace to quickly cut down Studmaster and Duneden shortly before the final flight.
Said Weld: “We bought him privately in Germany last October. He was free and keen when he came, but has learned to settle.
“He will run again later in the week, either in a mile and a half handicap on Thursday or a two mile handicap on Saturday.”
The experienced Defi proved far too strong for the heavily-backed pair, Weld’s newcomer, Bobs Pride, and Ballydoyle’s Trueheart in the GPT Access Equipment Maiden.
The winner was badly drawn, but Declan McDonogh had him out like a shot and into the lead.
Both Trueheart and then Bobs Pride tried their cases through the last furlong and a half, but the tough Defi was never going to buckle, crossing the line comfortably ahead.
“I knew the track would suit, he only got going when hitting the rising ground”, reported McDonogh.
“He’s a nice horse.”
Kevin Prendergast trains Defi, he watched from home, and completed a double when Faasel defied top weight in the GPT Van and Truck Rentals Handicap.
Well handled by 7lbs claimer, Christy Geoghegan, the Unfuwain gelding slipped on early in the straight and was holding all the aces in the closing stages.
A gamble went astray on Noel Meade’s Tyndall, taken from 5-2 to 7-4.
He didn’t have the clearest of runs in the dip, but still held every chance from the furlong pole and could not raise his tempo.
Paul Carberry, who failed to pass the doctor, missed a winning ride on Meade’s Athlumney Lad in the GPT Dublin Handicap Hurdle.
The trainer found a more than capable deputy, however, in Shay Barry.
Carberry suffered a shoulder injury at Roscommon three weeks today and will go before the doctor again tomorrow.
Morning-price gamble, Dbest, looked all over a winner when sweeping ahead off the home turn.
But Barry timed his challenge to perfection and Athlumney Lad cut down Dbest on the run in.
“He might run here in a flat handicap on Friday night”, said Meade.
“He’s tiny, so found carrying 12-0 in maiden hurdles too much.
“Mick (Kinane, who rode the horse to win a couple of flat handicaps) spoke to Shay and told him exactly what to do.
“He’s a great man to have giving instructions.”
John Magnier’s son, M V, enjoyed a second success, the first came aboard The Alamo at Tipperary, when the Aidan O’Brien trained King Of Spades won the Bumper.
In front before half way, King Of Spades made the rest to beat Pure Theatre, who made up plenty of ground in the final furlong.
Davy Condon produced Rose Dudley with impeccable timing to grab the flattering Mount Grace in the dying strides of the GPT Cork Handicap.
The Tote set a new record for a Monday night, €928,818, up from €857,636 a year ago.
