Turnpike Trip rolls back the years in Galway Blazers

The oldest runner in the line-up, Turnpike Trip rolled back the years in the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.

Out of action for over three years before returning at Ballinrobe in May, the 11-year-old finished last of five at the Co Mayo venue and again failed to make an impact on his latest start at Tipperary.

Trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by his son Philip, the 124-rated bay was sent off a 20/1 chance this evening (touched 40s early), and he tracked the leaders early on before improving to the front from the fourth.

Soon establishing a clear lead, his advantage was reduced early on the final circuit and it looked as if his race was run when headed from the last.

Ridden in fourth from early in the straight, he ultimately found plenty for pressure on the inner and regained the lead inside the final furlong, eventually coming home a length-and-a-half to the good.

An 11/2 chance, Antrim Coast had to settle for second under Conor Stone-Walsh for Gavin Cromwell, while Must Be Obeyed (28/1) was just a nose away in third.

The admirable San Salvador (10/1) ran on late to take fourth, while well-backed favourite Cave Court (9/2 from 16s early) never got involved and finished down the field.

"It's great to get the win here. I’ve been coming here for years and I've had a few winners but it's a very hard place to win," the controversial winning handler remarked.

"Philip said he got in under the second last and the last and lost momentum a small bit but he really powered up the hill then.

"This is actually a good horse, he was very unlucky not to win a good novice hurdle here about four or five years ago.

"He was rated 145 over hurdles at one stage. If you look at it that way, I know he's 11, he was running off a nice weight off 124 today. We'd have been disappointed if he wasn't competitive.

"It's a brilliant feeling, especially that Philip rode it. Unfortunately the owner (Peter Acheson) couldn't make it here today but it's a great feeling."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards interviewed P. Byrnes, rider of Turnpike Trip (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the whip regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that P. Byrnes was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson