Beir Bua lands a gamble in his first handicap

On his first start in handicap company Beir Bua found form to take the Ladbrokes Ireland Handicap Hurdle for his trainer Jessica Harrington with Andrew Leigh in the saddle.

Having run in three bumpers and three maiden hurdles his best run came at Tramore in April of this year where he finished just over six lengths fourth to Silver Canyon in a bumper.

His last run came in a maiden hurdle at the end of August where he finished well behind Laganbank at Galway.

The winning son of Oscar was struggling in fourth in behind the leaders from the second last but was switched to the rail and took up the lead after the last. He ran on strongly from there to score by three lengths.

He was well fancied today having been as big as 20/1 this morning he opened on track at 16/1 and was return at just 10/1.

The 7/2 favourite Leah Claire ran well to take second while Azana stayed on from the back to finish a further length and a quarter behind in third at 33/1. Wither Hills who travelled well up the straight, faded back into fourth at 7/1.

Eamonn Leigh, assistant to winning trainer Jessica Harrington, said afterwards: "That was his first time in a handicap and the first time tongue tie helped him.

"We were hopeful of a good run and he will go for something similar next."

Winning jockey Andrew Leigh said afterwards: "He battled on well. That was his first run in a handicap and hopefully he will improve again.

"He didn't particularly enjoy the ground but I kept him wide on the best of it and then got a run up the rail."

Donal Murphy