Bye Bye O Bye caught by Spider Web

Spider Web got up in the shadow of the post to collar the favourite Bye Bye O Bye in the John Madden & Sons Handicap Hurdle.

Having shown very little on his first two starts, he did run slightly better last time out, and the Tom Mullins trained victor was sent off a 12/1 chance this evening on his handicap debut.

Settled towards rear he made progress into mid-division after three out, and was fourth after the next.

He was ridden to challenge on the approach to the last, and was switched to the outer in the closing stages, getting up in the final strides to score by half a length under Mark Walsh for his boss JP McManus.

The 5/2 favourite Bye Bye O Bye hit the front two furlongs from home but he ultimately had to settle for second under Davy Russell for Michael Griffin.

The front two went fifteen lengths clear of Popboru (8/1) and Brian O'Connell in third, while Mic Milano (6/1) was a further twelve lengths back in fourth under Tom Brett for John Ryan.

Tom Mullins said afterwards: "He was very weak up to now but he turned inside out in the last couple of weeks.

"He's a nice horse and hopefully he'll keep progressing.

"He won't run on summer ground - not this year anyway - he'd want it safe."

STEWARDS REPORT

Philip M. Byrne, trainer of Rathnaleen Girl reported to the Turf Club Veterinary Officer that his charge was showing signs of being in season post race.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy