Dempsey delivers as Byrnes gamble comes unstuck

A gamble on embattled trainer Charles Byrnes' Rough Terain went badly wrong in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Naas today as victory in the end went in a bunch-finish to Fou Diligence

Rough Terain was one of two Byrnes trained runners (the other being newcomer Hashtag Watt in the bumper finale) which was the subject of strong market confidence today and was returned 2/1 favourite, having generally been a 25/1 chance (minus 50c deductions) this morning.

However in the race, Rough Terain was much too keen and while he attempted to close on the leaders in the home straight, he was beaten in seventh when falling at the last.

At the business end of the race, Fou Diligence, under jockey Tommy Brett, fared best, as he beat fast finishing Wait Here to win by a neck. There was a further half-length, three-parts of a length, half-length and neck back to the nearest runners, with sixth-placed Capture The Action beaten just two and a quarter lengths.

Fou Diligence's trainer Philip Dempsey later commented “he’d been knocking on the door and you’d be hoping he hadn’t missed his chance. He was consistent last year and then got a knee injury and it took him a while to come back.

“We always thought he wanted two and a half but maybe a stiff two miles suited him.

“I’m delighted for the bunch of lads that own him, footballers from Clogherhead.

“He’ll go for something similar. He jumps well and could go for some rated chases later in the year.

“That’s the first time that Tommy has ridden for me. It’s the first time I’ve met him and Ken Whelan (jockeys' agent) recommended him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee