Broadway battles well for handicap win

Broadway Twist battled well in the closing stages to make a winning handicap debut at Fairyhouse.

Liz Doyle's charge, who had been tailed off on her last maiden hurdle outing at Punchestown last month, was sent off a 16/1 shot in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Brian O'Connell drove her into contention at the final flight and she got the better of another 16/1 shot Duty Dance on the run-in for a length success. Misty Lady the 7/2 joint-favourite, was 11-lengths back in third while the other market leader Bank Man could only finish sixth.

Barry Murphy, partner of Liz Doyle (who is 39 today), said “That was her first handicap and she travelled brilliant. Brian said she made a bit of a mistake at the last and he had to get after her, so she may have ended up in front a bit too soon.

“The owner Betty Turner rode this horse to win the Diageo Charity Race at the Punchestown Festival two years ago. She rides her out every morning, and it’s great reward for her sticking with the horse.

“The horses are running well, and anything that has a chance at the moment is there or thereabouts. Kauto Grand Mogol (Monksfield Hurdle) and Subtle Ben (Troytown) will both probably run at Navan on Sunday and are two we are looking forward to.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)