Welcome win for Manning as Gael wins the last

The Mick Manning trained Breffni Gael (7/1) recorded her first racecourse success (did win a point-to-point at Castletown-Geoghegan last October) as she took the last at Tramore this evening, the Book Online at Tramore-Racecourse.com Handicap Chase.

Always prominent, the seven-year-old daughter of Milan, hit the front before two out, under Andrew Lynch, and she asserted before the last, keeping on well from there to score by four lengths at the line. Code Dancer kept on well to take second under Brian Hayes (replacing Robbie Moran) for Pat Carey at 20/1 while Rossa Parks (7/1) was three and three parts of a length back in third under Paddy Mangan for Sean Aherne. Banna Beach completed the placings a further two and a half lengths back in fourth under John Cullen for Seamus Neville while the 7/2 favourite, Saigheada Beaga could only manage a disappointing seventh under Rob Jones (deputising for Paul Townend).

Mick Manning, who was very ill earlier this year, was recording his first racecourse success since August of 2007 and he said afterwards: "She absolutely loves good ground and she got a great ride from Andrew.

"I told him to keep her up there at all costs and that’s what he did. I think there is another race in her if she gets her ground."