Enright assumes Duties on hat-trick hero

The Charles Byrnes trained Lite Duties continued his progression through the handicap system with a third consecutive win, at Navan today, landing the Grade B Tara Handicap Hurdle under jockey Philip Enright.

The son of Mountain High had previously landed a gamble to win at Punchestown in November before following up at the same track seven days ago and today was winning from a rating 23lbs higher than initial winning mark.

Following today's two and three parts of a length win over Dara Tango Byrnes later stated “there weren't that many options before Christmas and this was a good pot to get.

“I was delighted with the way he stayed on and he could now go for a novice between two and a half and three miles. It's just unfortunate that Davy (Russell) couldn't do the weight (10st6lbs).”

Lite Duties' two previous wins had been gained under dual Champion Jockey Russell who, in a reversal of a well publicised 'whip hand-over' incident at Clonmel recently, was handing back the baton to Enright today.

The pair's appeal hearing into their five day suspension for, what could be described as a 'bromance' moment, is due to be heard on Tuesday.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee