Mt Weather loves it at Laytown beach

Mt Weather profited from a cool ride up the inside from Paul Townend to win the six furlong handicap at Laytown. Under Review who was backed from 8/1 to 9/2 this morning but went off 13/2, blasted away into the lead under Leigh Roche, but the petrol ran out 100 yards from home as Mt Weather passed him to win by half a length.

“He comes alive here. He's run four times here and has won twice and been runner-up twice,” successful trainer Dick Donohoe said.

“He would let you down quick enough everywhere else! He got a great ride and Paul took the brave man's route.

“He's been showing a bit more dash recently and we were hopeful he would run well. I thought it looked competitive enough.

“He'll go to Listowel on Friday week and hopefully the weather is good before then. He doesn't seem to really bother on heavy ground and seems to want quicker ground now.”

7/2 joint favourite Lily’s Star kept on for third with Ben Curtis in the saddle while Enough Is Enough finished unplaced in seventh.

Horses for courses is the popular saying and at Laytown this is especially prevalent. Mt Weather was a course and distance winner in 2008 and obviously relishes his trips to the beach. Punters who latched on to that form were rewarded at 10/1, backed in from 12s.

Paul Townend has now ridden a winner at all 26 Irish tracks.

(On course reporting by Gary Carson)