Ifitwasme stays on best under Hayes to land Tipperary nightcap

The Eric McNamara trained Ifitwasme stayed on strongly under fellow Limerick man Chris Hayes to land the concluding TipperaryRaces,ie Handicap.

Held up towards rear for much of the race, Hayes produced the four-year-old from off the pace early in the straight to head longtime leader Elsa'a Pride over 150 yards from the finish. Crypto Crash eventually stayed on to finish second, having looked a big threat over a furlong out. However, the son of Postponed proved a difficult ride for jockey James Ryan, hanging left when asked to make his challenge. Hinemoa kept on late to snatch third ahead of the pace setting Elsa'a Pride.

Eric McNamara said: “The first-time tongue strap may have helped him but Chris gave him a super ride.

“He’s promised to do that on a few occasions but hasn’t delivered. I’m delighted for Mike Wilmot and his three sons (owners) who are all from Rathkeale just down the road from me and we often share a pint together.

“That’s probably his best trip and we might look for something in Killarney in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.