Grozni a well-backed winner for the Byrnes

Grozni (4s into 2/1 fav before the off) was a well-backed winner for Charles Byrnes in the 2m5f handicap hurdle.

Held up by the trainer's son Philip, the Saddler Maker gelding was ridden into contention before the last and stayed on well up the hill to collar Gondor close home. He scored by a length and half with the same gap back to Yenillik in third.

Grozni won a bumper for Denis Hogan last year and this was his fourth start for his present handler.

"That's all he did again today is stay on. The trip and the track helped," said Byrnes.

"That is what he is, we hadn't much up our sleeve. More of the same is coming as he loves this fast summer ground, however long that will last.

"He is actually declared in Listowel on Monday (over 2m4f) but I'd be doubtful about that, we'll see."

Quotes from Michael Graham