We'llhavewan another for favourite backers

We'llhavewan made it four from five for favourite backers at Ballinrobe this evening, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Portwest Handicap Hurdle.

A dual-winner for Tim Townend, the eight-year-old was successful over fences on his debut for Willie Mullins at Tipperary last summer, but failed to follow-up on his next three starts.

Not seen since November, the Imperial Monarch gelding was sent off the 11/4 market leader in the colours of Bowes Lodge Stables.

Given a patient ride by Patrick Mullins, he took closer order on the outer from the third last and jumped the final flight in a share of the lead.

Soon pushed along to lead, he stretched clear inside the final furlong, going on to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

The well-backed Solitary Man (13/2 from 25s early) had to settle for second under Darragh O'Keeffe for Enda Bolger, while the keen-going Jinxs Link (22/1 from 100s early) done well to take third, another two lengths behind.

"His jumping wasn't fantastic over fences last year so we brought him back over hurdles," the winning rider revealed.

"He was beaten with Charlie (Mullins) at Fairyhouse on very soft ground. I think he probably prefers this good ground and we put the tongue-strap back on him.

"He's a fun horse and we'll keep aiming small but he should win again for Simon Wilson who had the Mayo National winner Rock Road with us last year.

"We'll let him get his confidence back over hurdles before going back over fences. He's more inclined to pop than have a cut at his fences but he'll be fine."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mrs. T. O'Meara, that D.P. Maxwell, rider of Jinxs Link, had weighed in 1.6lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he had no reason or explanation why he weighed in heavy. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found D. P. Maxwell in breach of rule 231(iii) and suspended him for one raceday.

At the request of the Raceday Stewards, D.P. Maxwell, rider of Jinxs Link, trained by M.M. Rice, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran very free .

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan