Melody lands bumper for Byrnes and Barron

Summer Melody showed real staying qualities when keeping on strongly under Ray Barron to take the concluding Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust(Pro/Am) Flat Race at Navan.

Fourth on two previous bumper starts, the Charles Byrnes trained five-year-old was reappearing here after a break. He looked much more battle hardened on this occasion, obviously having benefitted from a summer off.

Jamie Codd looked in control of proceeding turning into the straight, with odds on favourite Found A Fifty travelling easily in front. Only Summer Melody and Fermoyle posed a threat, as the remaining three runners dropped away.

Barron closed on the leader 2f out but was soon pushing along, with Codd yet to ask his mount for an effort. As Summer Melody ranged alongside, it soon became evident that the favourite had nothing to give, leaving the Byrnes trained winner to power clear.

Charles Byrnes said: "We were sure we would win a bumper last spring.

"He's a full brother to a very good horse I had called Von Humboldt who won a bumper first time out and who unfortunately got killed.

"He works very well at home, so I think he will make a proper three-mile hurdler or chaser in time.

"He's a massive horse and he'll probably go jumping hurdles soon. Definitely two and a half miles plus.

"Since Blazing Khal came along, I thought this was my next best horse."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham