Adams Barbour wins under Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Equipped with a tongue-strap and blinkers for the first-time Adams Barbour won the Donate To The Coast To Curragh Charity Cycle In Honour Of Pat Smullen Which Takes Place Tomorrow Handicap at Dundalk.
Now a three time winner at the Dowdallshill venue, including twice at today’s ‘flying five,’ here the well-backed Chris Hayes-ridden 9/2 chance broke well to lead, and was three lengths clear after two furlongs.
He had a reduced advantage and was ridden under a furlong out. From there Lee Smyth’s charge kept on well to comfortably beat King’s View by a length and a quarter.
“He’s done that very easy in first time blinkers. We were quite nervous as he was very quiet going to the start. He’s normally a messer but the blinkers probably helped him to focus," said Smyth.
“Last time he was drawn wide but he’d a low draw today and Chris gave him a fine ride.
“He has to be out and away — if he’s in behind horses he doesn’t travel. He likes to get his own way up front.
“He’ll focus on here now over five or six furlongs for the winter and won’t go back on the turf.
“We’ll use Chris when he’s available and Siobhan (Rutledge) knows him well also. He’s a bit of a quirky animal so it helps having riders that know him.”
W.M. Lordan, rider of No Speed Limit (FR) trained by Patrick J. McKenna, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left throughout.
L.T. McAteer, rider of Red Cymbal (GB) trained by Anthony McCann, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was slowly away out of the starting stalls.
(AM & EM)
