Tower earns crack at winner's bumper

Former Ballydoyle inhabitant Tower Bridge looked quite classy when triumphant in the concluding event at Ballinrobe, the McHale Orbital Round Bale Wrapper INH Flat Race.

This High Chaparral gelding was a promising fourth on his debut when racing for winning trainer Joseph O'Brien's mother Ann Marie.

Bred like Irish Guineas third Irishcorrespondent by Ballygallon Stud, Tower Bridge since transferred into J P McManus' ownership.

Tom Hamilton rode the four-year-old and himself and odds-on favourite Special Ted went at it from a nice bit out.

However the 7/4 victor was much the best inside the last as he went on to gain the day by five and a half lengths. O'Brien also had the third home, Border Control (10/1 into 7/1), three lengths further back.

"He picked up well, I thought it was going to be a battle off the bend, but he picked up well and ran on home well. He learned a bit from Punchestown and he doesn't mind the bit of quick ground. I'd say he will go for a winner's bumper somewhere now," said McManus racing manager Frank Berry.

(DM & EM)