A picture of happiness, 'Bon' O'Neill and Byerley Babe© Photo Healy Racing
Robert Tyner made no secret of the fact that he thought Byerley Babe was a bit special after she won her point-to-point at Lemonfield back in March and she proved as much when landing the Curaheen (Pro/Am) Flat Race at Thurles under 'Bon' O'Neill.
She could have been backed at 5/1 in the offices this morning but the money poured on the J P McManus-owned daughter of Beneficial and she was eventually sent off a 2/1 shot.
Those involved in the plunge were always on good terms with themselves as the victorious five-year-old, out of the 2001 Paddy Power Chase heroine, I Can Imagine, eased closer to deliver her challenge in the final quarter mile.
She hit the front a furlong out before scampering clear to beat Nearly Nama'd (20s into 12s) by eight and a half lengths.
Tyner explained: "She was very impressive in her point-to-point. There were a few good horses that won in Lemonfield that day but there was more talk about her than anything else.
"I was very concerned coming here today though. She had a huge knee after she ran here the last day (over three weeks back). We got it x-rayed soon after.
"She was in the water spa for a fortnight. There was a haematoma in the knee, it was very hard and she was lame from it.
"She's just all class and she'll probably go back over hurdles now. She's unlike her mother in that we never even ran her in a bumper.
"That's our third winner for J P after Its The Ice and Whatwillwecallher." (TW & EM)
