Getaway Charlie lands gamble for red-hot Doyle

Tim Doyle recorded his seventeenth winner of the calendar year and his tenth since the beginning of September, as Getaway Charlie landed a gamble in the Paddy Power 'Bingoton: A Drama With Balls' Handicap Hurdle.

Placed on his last four starts, the seven-year-old bay was available at 16/1 in early shows, eventually going off the 7/2 favourite under Doyle's son David.

Settled in mid-division, the 109-rated victor made progress from five out and was poised to challenge on the outer approaching the straight.

In front before the last, he kept on well when ridden on the run-in, going on to score by three-and-a-half lengths from top-weight Stuzzikini (20/1) in second.

Recent Galway winner Glenquin Castle (17/2) was just a nose away in third, while Another Choice (20/1) was a further two-and-a-half lengths back in fourth.

"He's improving all the time, he’s just coming to himself," Doyle, who trains the winner for his wife Claire, said.

"He's bred to stay and three miles is no problem to him. He loves a bit of nice ground.

"Every run this summer has been better than the one before.

"David knows the horse well now. He was probably giving him a bit too much to do but now he rides him a bit closer and gives him a chance to travel into it.

"We'll look for something similar and hopefully he can work his way up through the grades."

STEWARDS REPORTS

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Sea Aster trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran too keen.

K. Callaghan, rider of Early Arrival trained by James M. Barcoe, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.

R.P. Treacy, rider of No Thanks (GB), trained by Matthew J. Smith, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount shied at the road.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee