Back Off Mate and David Casey jumps the last ahead of Baily Dusk and Jonathan Burke© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from their victory with Pass The Hat in the big handicap chase at Killarney on Saturday, owner Marcus Beresford, trainer Arthur Moore and rider David Casey struck again with Back off Mate in the Corrib Oil Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe. Back Off Mate a son of Old Vic, is now a winner on the level (a Sligo maiden last time), in a hurdle (Downpatrick handicap) and twice over fences. He added to Wexford gains over the larger obstacles from last October, with a battling success in this two mile one furlong event.
The front-running Hellofado proved to be a difficult one to reel in but Back Off Mate and Baily Dusk eventually mastered him on the run-in. Half a length and three parts of a length eventually separated the first three home with a twelve length gap back to Imperial Joey in fourth.
"Where do we go now, hurdles, chase or flat?" pondered Moore in the aftermath.
The Caragh maestro then disclosed: "I suppose there might be something for him in Listowel and then he might go back to the Curragh for the amateur Derby which he was second in last year.
"We are in a lovely position as he is so versatile. He jumped great there and he was lucky to survive that faller (Monroe's Live who brought down Limpopo Tom four out).
"I don't think the handicapper can be too hard on us and he'll run through the winter but once it gets a bit heavy or dead we won't be running him on that. Please God there will be plenty more in him." (DM & EM)
