Well-backed Shaiyzar wins for Butler & Doyle

Shaiyzar landed a few nice bets as he took the Belfast Live Handicap Hurdle under Mikey Butler for Eoin Doyle.

The six-year-old son of Azamour was available at 12/1 last night with Paddy Powers, opening on-course at 10's before going off a 7/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division the Damien Carroll owned gelding improved to track the leaders after three out. He was ridden after the second last and got to the front on the run-in, keeping on well to score by a neck. Pace And Passion kept on well to finish second under Mikey Fogarty for Thomas Farrell at 25/1 while Percys Choice (14/1) was a short head back in third under Conor McGovern for Anthony McCann. Diesel Ten was sent off the 7/2 joint-favourite and he finished back in fourth while the other joint-favourite Old Storm could only manage thirteen.

Mikey Butler said afterwards: "He stayed at it well and a good jump at the last made the difference.

"I was going well turning in and then he hit a bit of a flat spot. He was very unlucky the last day when he was badly hampered.

"The owner Damien Carroll is from Dublin and has been very good to me. He has been very patient with this horse. He has had little problems.

"Hopefully he'll go for something similar."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham