Romany Brown rallies close home to win for Doyle family Romany Brown needed to call on all his previous experience when rallying close home under Jack Doyle to win the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle at Killarney. Narrowly denied at Clonmel in November, the gelding had been mixing it between hurdling and bumpers in recent months. Tracking the leaders for the first mile of this contest, Jack Doyle moved closer onto the heels of Grey Fable after four out. Heading the latter entering the straight, he was soon joined by Gary Noonan on Wholelotofbusiness. The Eoin McCarthy trained gelding, having his first start in 467 days, travelled the better of the pair on the run to two out. Soon in front, Wholelotofbusiness looked set for victory as he asserted on the run to the final flight. However, as lack of race fitness began to tell with the latter, Romany Brown rallied strongly on the inside to get back up close home. The winner was trained in Thurles by Pat Doyle, father of the winning jockey. Jack Doyle reported: "Going to the second-last I thought I was in trouble but when the other horse (Wholelotofbusiness) didn't get away from me, he just kept sticking his head out. He is probably better going right-handed as he lugged out with me the whole way but was good and tough. "He had been keen in his bumpers but settled well today and I think he will stay further. "Our horses have been in great form all year and Martin (Dwyer, owner) is my father-in-law so this is great." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
