Fitting winner to Jack Tyner Memorial Chase There have been some heart-warming race-results since the tragic February passing of Michael O’Sullivan and today brother Alan landed Cork’s Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase, to cap a positive weekend for the family. O’Sullivan was foremost in thoughts during an emotionally-charged Cheltenham in March with Cork’s local Easter festival being headlined by yesterday’s Grade 3 Michael O’Sullivan Chase - won by his one-time ride Mister Policeman. Today, cousin Maxine O’Sullivan steered Eyes Off Annie to an earlier chase success, with brother Alan scoring on strong-travelling Lisleigh Lad (15/2) which defeated Bugs Moran, trained by the late jockey’s uncle Eugene O’Sullivan. Alan O’Sullivan commented “unfortunately we found ourselves in the same situation as the Tyners and now have a bond that we hoped we never would have. The Tyners have been unreal to us over the last couple of months. “Jack unfortunately had an accident point to pointing in Dungarvan and while I never knew him, obviously the same has now happened to us. We know what they went through and they know what we’re going through: it means a lot to win for them. “It’s a local crowd today, we’ve a lot of family here and the racing community are something else. I’ve had someone looking down on me because the last few weeks I’ve been very very lucky and riding for great people.” Lisleigh Lad had pulled up at Cheltenham last month and today his owner/trainer Eleanor Broderick, a one-time point-to-point rider, reported “Alan (O’Sullivan) gave him a cracking ride and this is a very special day for the Tyner family as well, so I’ delighted to be part of it. “This means everything to me, my partner Matt and Grace Dorgan, who is fantastic and led him up. Grace is brilliant as this horse tests her every day riding him and he is a bit of a monkey. “He ran a really nice race at Cheltenham but went off at a really fast pace and didn’t get home. I think the occasion went to both their heads but I’m sorry for Daragh (Allen, injured regular rider) but am delighted for Alan. “He might go to Punchestown for the Champion Hunters or else to Tipperary which is for novices and he also likes a flat track.”
