Byrnes doubles up with Joke I Started A Joke landed the odds in fine style to give trainer Charles Byrnes a double on the card at Punchestown this afternoon. Riskabahia took them along in the two-miler and had a healthy advantage at halfway. She was claimed early in the straight by the 8/11 shot and cut out quickly. Philip Byrnes sent his mount clear before the final flight and he stayed on strongly to post a comprehensive eight-and-a-half length success over Springhill Warrior. The winner had been running in some strong maiden hurdles this season, behind the likes of I’ll Sort That and King Rasko Grey, and had an official mark of 121. Handicapping next for I Started A Joke Byrnes said:- “It was probably a weaker race than the one in Limerick, and he’ll probably go handicapping now. “He could go up to two and a half miles. He looked in bother at stages and he was niggling before they turned in.” Byrnes had also saddled Diamond Dollar to win earlier on the card, under Kevin Murphy. (Quotes by Alan Magee)
