Kelly collects with first winner for Byrnes Seven pounds-claiming jockey Tom Kelly partnered a first winner for long time ally Charles Byrnes today, giving the trainer a double with Political Stance’s 10/1 success in Limerick’s Greenpark Limerick Handicap Hurdle (Div I). Kelly, who recently relaunched his career following personal setbacks, had landed June’s Connacht National and enjoyed Listowel festival success last month. Here, he raced prominently on Political Stance who scored readily, by seven and a half lengths, from Tasmanian Girl . Byrnes, earlier successful with Bunker Buster, revealed “Philip (son) had a ride for our neighbour (on William O’Doherty’s fourth-placed Dalmatic) so won’t be too happy, but I’m delighted to give Tom a winner. “I’ve known Tom all his life, he had been with me years ago and now comes in three mornings a week, along with going to Enda Bolger and Eric McNamara. “I wanted to keep Tom on this horse as he gave me very good feedback with him the last day, and told me to put on a tongue-tie, cheekpieces and to bounce him out. It made all the difference, as he had been a disappointing horse with wind issues.”
