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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Gaius fends off the favourite in Punchestown

Tue 11th Oct 2022, 16:43

Gaius, yellow and blue, finds plenty for Philip ByrnesGaius, yellow and blue, finds plenty for Philip Byrnes
© Photo Healy Racing

Noel Kelly's Gaius put in a game effort to win race five at Punchestown under 7lb-claimer Philip Byrnes.

The six-year-old gelding signalled that a breakthrough victory might not be too far away when third at Listowel last month and so it proved.

The 15/2 shot chased the leaders and was pushed along to get closer after jumping the penultimate flight of this extended two and a half mile handicap hurdle.

The yellow and blue colours tacked on to the heels of the leaders sweeping round the final bend. His big white face hit the front at the last from Ocojohn however, 5/4 favourite Maxxum was produced on the run-in by Davy Russell.

Gaius found plenty for Byrnes and was always holding the challenger in the closing stages as he repelled him by half a length. Ceanndana (12/1) and Its My Deal (25/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
15/2
Tote €15.00 €3.00
2nd
0.5L
5/4Fav
€1.10
3rd
2L
12/1
€3.40
4th
1.5L
25/1
€5.30
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.