Gamble landed as Brian Who delivers

Brian Who landed a gamble as he took the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under Robert Jones for trainer Eddie Cawley.

The 5yo son of Brian Boru was available at 14/1 this morning with Paddy Powers but opened on course at just 9's before being back in to his starting price of 11/2.

He chased the leaders early on and was fourth at the halfway stage.

He then made headway into second at the fourth last and joined the leader Without The Bop on the run to the second last.

However Without The Bop crashed out there leaving Brian Who with a clear lead. He was ridden and kept on well away from the second last to score by six lengths at the line. Bondage came out of the pack to take second at 14/1 for Keith Donoghue and Gordon Elliott while Banna Beach was a further six lengths back in third at 12/1 for Seamus Neville. Special Bar was sent off the 5/2 favourite for Michael O’Hare but he could only manage seventh under Matty Bowes.

The winning bay gelding did have some decent form to his name before today, finishing a close third in a handicap hurdle behind Smile Crocodile at Down Royal on St Patrick’s Day and fourth behind Baresi at Clonmel in May.

Last time out he was sent off at just 4/1 in Sligo but he finished a well beaten fifth behind Roving Lad on that occasion.

Winning trainer Eddie Cawley said afterwards: "Everyone goes through good patches and we were along time waiting on it (stable won with there penultimate runner, Western Island at Clonmel last month).

"He ran flat at Sligo last time out. We always thought he would win a race or two. We knew he was in good form but we were a bit afraid of the tacky ground.

"He might go back to Sligo next week as he handles tight tracks."

The winner was purchased by his owner/trainer at the Goffs Land Rover June National Hunt Sale in 2010 for €14,500.

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)