McNamara's five-year-old lands Galway chase There was a good finish to Galway’s COLM QUINN BMW Handicap Chase over two miles, six furlongs as the Eric McNamara-trained Illtakehimmyself (7/2) made the most of his light weight to get up close home. The locally-owned Talk In The Park tried to make all and asserted after the last, but the five-year-old winner, with just 9 stone 12lbs on his back, wore down that rival to score by half a length under Patrick O’Brien. Conor McNamara, representing his father, explained “I was surprised Ross O'Sullivan's horse (runner-up Talk In The Park) went forward as he likes to run his horses down late, so I was confident that he'd park halfway up the hill, which he did. It was two-horse race after going three furlongs, with the speed they were going, so hopefully the handicapper doesn't read too much into it. "Our fellow was good, he galloped right to the line and is an improving horse. He probably wants nice ground, so we'll now see whether or not to keep going through the winter. He is a big weak horse who will handle slower ground in time. "John Battersby, from Garretstown in Meath, is a very nice fellow and is from the same parish as Paddy (O'Brien). He is a great supporter of dad and previously sponsored me when riding." Regarding his own recovery from a neck and back injury, he added "I'm not 100% sure what I'll do yet. but am doing physio work in RACE at the minute and will know more in the couple of weeks." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
