Rathnaleen Girl and Andrew Ring pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Rathnaleen Girl ran away with the second divide of the Mary Barry's Seafood Bar Handicap Hurdle, coming home twelve lengths to the good under Andrew Ring.
Placed twice last year, the daughter of Beneficial returned to action at Kilbeggan in June after a year out, and she went off a 10/1 chance today for trainer Philip Byrne.
Settled in mid-division, she took closer order from four out, and hit the front as they entered the straight for the final time.
The seven-year-old victor soon shot clear, and was ridden out on the run-in for a comfortable success. Mezajy (9/2) was best of the rest for trainer/rider Denis Hogan, while Baron Von Chill (20/1) was another length and a quarter back in third under James O'Sullivan for Philip Rothwell. Seaboard was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he finished a disappointing thirteen under Rachael Blackmore for 'Shark' Hanlon.
Byrne said afterwards: "It was a brilliant ride from Andrew. Her run the last time in Kilbeggan was the best run of her career time wise so we knew we had a chance coming here today and her owners had a few bob on her.
"This time last year she was favourite for a race at Kilbeggan but on the morning of the race we felt her leg and she had heat in it and a 10% tear.
"She had been off the track for a year, had her come back run at Kilbeggan ten days ago and it left her right for today.
"Her owner John Moylan from Nenagh stuck with her and it paid dividends today.
"She is in on Tuesday at Roscommon but is fifteen on the ballot. Andrew made sure of the win today, but I didn't mind because he had to get her over the line.
"It's been a while since we had a winner. It's not that they have been running bad, we just didn't have the numbers. Charlotte's Chum ran well at Kilbeggan last time out, and she is out again on Sunday, so hopefully she will run well."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Seaboard, trained by John Joseph Hanlon, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard and coughing post race.
