Rohan's Pride and Brian Hayes jump ahead of Seefood and Jonathan Burke© Photo Healy Racing
Brian Hayes' good form has seen him pick up a few nice winners in recent times. The Cork man's efforts were given a further deserving boost when he landed the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe on the Robert Honner-trained Rohan's Pride (16s into 10s).
This was a real family success for the Honner clan, as the successful chestnut is owned by Robert's father Winston, and they stand the sire, Pushkin, at their Clongiffen Stud in Enfield, County Meath.
Rohan's Pride is undoubtedly a favourite with connections, given that he also gave them a big day when scoring in the 2014 edition of the Bishopscourt Cup at the Punchestown Festival.
Coming here on the back of a second placing in that event this year, Rohan's Pride was never far away, and after leading five out he was ridden before two out, keeping on well from before the last to account for Leavethelighton by a length and three parts.
There was half a length to Seefood in third, with five and a half lengths to the favourite, Urano in fourth.
Rober Honner said: "It makes up for coming second in the Bishopscourt for sure. I'm a bit stuck for words I'd suppose. The horse has been in good old form and I thought we were up against it but he was in at a nice weight and we said we'd take our chance.
"He ran a blinder. He jumped away and Brian gave him a great spin - you couldn't ask for more.
"I'm delighted for my father, the breeder, Tommy (Flaherty), and his sire, Pushkin. He's a thousand Euros for a stud fee which has to be great value. The handful of horses he has are all running well.
"This fella likes the bit of good ground so we'll keep him going."
(DM & EM)
