Byrnes sits tight as Youlita makes winning chase debut Philip Byrnes made a terrific recovery two from home and conjured a renewed effort from Youlita to land the spoils in the two-mile beginners chase at Clonmel. The Charles Byrnes-trained gelding had been well backed on his chase debut, from 5/1 into 7/5, and all appeared to be going to plan as he hit the lead going to the penultimate fence. He judged it wrong however and Byrnes did well to sit with him after being shot up his neck. Long-time leader Is Charlie Around grabbed the advantage after the error but was joined again by Youlita over the last and the market leader stayed on best in the closing stages for a half-length win. Youlita had won a point-to-point before joining Byrnes and was also successful over timber at Downpatrick last May. The winning trainer said:- "I was disappointed with him on the goodish ground the last day but he jumps well, although he kind of landed on top of the second-last. Philip didn't really say what happened, to be honest. "It was nice to get that and the conditions of the race suited.  "Jumping was always going to be his job but he could go back over hurdles at two miles, and ride him handier the next day." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
