Regal Obligation takes opener

The opening race this evening, the Ballinrobe Musical Society All Ireland Winners Handicap was won by the Tom Hogan trained Regal Obligation

Wayne Lordan who was in the saddle made most aboard the Generous filly and had the field strung out and under pressure from five furlongs out.

The pair had to work hard over a furlong out to hold off the fast finishing Torina and Martin Harley by neck.

Winning trainer Hogan said afterwards: “She stays the trip well, she would have loved a drop of rain as all she does is gallop.”

“I told Wayne to force it with her from the start and whatever out-stayed her would win.”

“We’ll go for a handicap hurdle next, if her jumping was a bit tidier she might have won the last day at Sligo.”