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Ballyegan defies drift to score

Ballyegan Hero and Katie O'FarrellBallyegan Hero and Katie O'Farrell
© Photo Healy Racing

Ballyegan Hero proved easy to back in the concluding lady riders bumper at Tramore but stormed home on the run-in to score under Katie O'Farrell. Bridge Native had battled back to repel 5/6 favourite Broke Soul turning for home in the two-miler but couldn't hold the charge of Ballyegan Hero.

John Joe Walsh's charge came up the stand's rail, under O'Farrell, and got on top inside the final furlong for a length-and-three-quarters success.

The 5/2 winner, who had finished runner-up in two bumpers previously, had been as short as 4/5 in the morning.

"I thought he had the form to win but I was afraid of the track. I was right as he didn't come down the hill but then flew home. He wants a good galloping track,” said Walsh.

"That ground was fine but I'd say he wouldn't go on heavy ground. He'll go back over hurdles.

"The owner Tom O'Brien is a doctor from Tralee."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.