Benson impresses on Times

Legendary Times overcame a very slow start to eventually land the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap with considerable ease under a polished ride by Danny Benson.

The Pat Flynn-trained mare must have lost about eight lengths at the start, with Keen Look and particularly East Of Tara losing all chance out of the stalls.

However Benson didn't panic and steadily got the 8/1 chance into the race, leading over a furlong out for a very cosy two and a half length victory over Fairy Wing (11/1). Moving Statue (13/2) held every chance another half length back in third, with Rosa Dieci (20/1) finishing fourth.

Flynn said, “I was just on the phone there to John O'Shea (the Irish soccer international). She'll run in his colours the next day as the papers didn't go through in time for today but he's delighted. She's had her problems.”

Alan Magee