Midnight Run takes finale in good style

Midnight Run regained the winning thread in convincing fashion when patiently ridden by Shane Crosse to take the Your New Tote At Ballinrobe Maiden.

The Gigginstown-owned gelding looked a smart prospect when winning two bumpers and beating Colreevy in a maiden hurdle earlier in his career but has been quite lightly-raced since.

The easy-to-back 6/4 favourite reeled in stablemate San Salvador at the furlong pole and went on to score by five lengths.

San Salvador made it a 1-2 for trainer Joseph O’Brien when just holding off Thousand Tears for minor honours.

Crosse said, "This lad is a smart horse over hurdles and he’s got some good, top-class bumper form, but I was impressed with what he did there today.

“I thought that maybe Declan (McDonogh, on San Salvador) was getting away on the front end, and I was just caught in behind two or three that weren’t really bringing me forward.

“He showed pace, and he’s got the ability to do that, but it was lovely to see him do that over a mile and a half and it should set him right for the rest of the year.

“He’s filled out well and hopefully he’ll have a nice year ahead.

“Obviously he gets on great over hurdles, but I was surprised with the bit of turn of foot he showed today and he'll have no problem mixing it on the Flat.”

Quotes by Mark Nunan