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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Red letter day for Byrne

Thu 16th Feb 2012, 17:39

Red Memo (nearside, no.3) provides amateur Mark Byrne<br>with his first winner over hurdlesRed Memo (nearside, no.3) provides amateur Mark Byrne
with his first winner over hurdles
© Photo Healy Racing

Punters were out of luck in the concluding Suir Handicap Hurdle for amateur riders as the final flight fall of 7/2 favourite Mount Welcome greatly contributed to a 25/1 shock winner in the shape of Red Memo

However the surprise winner was a landmark moment for Carrick-on-Suir rider Mark Byrne, who was having his very first ride over hurdles.

The “jolly” struck the front before two out, and appeared set to score with about a two length advantage when coming down at the last.

This threw the two mile event wide open again, and Red Memo just got up in the final stride to pip Pretty Happy (11/2) by a short-head with long-time leader Korean (11/2) in third.

Byrne (24) rides out with Red Memo’s trainer Leonard Whitmore, and has partnered four winners in point-to-points.