Brady treats crowd after Shabra victory

Crowd favourite Oliver Brady was in fine voice after the victory of Shabra Charity in the maiden hurdle at Down Royal.

Matty Bowes gave the 16/1 shot a confident ride as she travelled well into contention after the second last.

A line of horses raced to the last with chances but Shabra Charity proved the strongest and stayed on gamely on the run-in to score by a length-and-a-quarter.

25/1 shot Baileys Ruffit ran well to chase home the winner. 11/10f Separate Ways found himself hemmed in before the last but failed to pick up when getting a run and finished fourth.

"I'll look after the punters and they'll look after me - that's the way it'll always be," roared Brady as he was handed the microphone in the winners' enclosure.

"Matt Chapman is only after being on the phone to me and saying that I'm a genius!"

After cooling down a bit he added:"I couldn't see her not being in the frame today - I was expecting a good run.

"She ran well last time but has had a head cold since. Matthew Bowes gave her a great ride."

The front two came close on the run-in and the stewards looked into possible interference. Bowes was cautioned to ride with more care in future.