Anyway & Michael O'Sullivan are led back into the parade ring by Ken Budds© Photo Healy Racing
Anyway landed a significant gamble when easily accounting for his 11 rivals in the Philip McBurney Racing Handicap Hurdle.
Bought by Charles Byrnes for E20,000 as a three-year-old and now in the care of Ken Budds, the Jukebox Jury gelding was an encouraging eighth of 25 on his most recent start at Punchestown in June.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time this afternoon and available at 28/1 in early shows, the five-year-old came in for strong market support and eventually went off the clear even money favourite.
With Michael O'Sullivan replacing the injured Donagh Meyler, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders and while he briefly lost his place from three out, he improved again after the next.
On what was just his sixth career start, he got a dream run through on the inner approaching the final flight and quickly shot to the front, keeping on strongly from there and coming home eight-and-a-half lengths to the good.
A recent course and distance winner, Gwan Tadhg (11/4) couldn't cope with the winner away from the last and had to settle for second under Ben Harvey, six-and-a-half lengths in front of Tea It Is (12/1) in third.
"First and foremost I want to mention Donagh Meyler, he was hurt in Killarney on Saturday so thoughts with him and hopefully he will be back soon," O'Sullivan commented.
"It was a lovely performance. I'm very grateful to Ken for picking up the spare ride.
"He thought he had learned a lot. If you look at his last couple of runs in Punchestown and Wexford, the penny was slowly dropping with him.
"I just had to keep him up to his work today, he was still green and lugging around a bit. When he got the daylight, the loose horse helped me up the hill.
"He won nicely and hopefully he will improve again. It was great to get his head in front and hopefully they will have plenty of fun with him."
Budds, who trains the winner for his father Paddy, added: "He done it well. He is just a very green horse and Mike even said it there, he still loads to learn.
"He woke up after the last day a bit and had done a few good pieces of work. My auld fella will be happy anyway. I had to back him, as I get no training fees! I have to get money somewhere!
"With the two meetings today, we entered him in a good few races and felt we had a right chance. As he was in such good form, we felt we had to go with him.
"We haven't entered him up again quickly, he'll be fine though."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards enquired into the withdrawal of Karloss trained by Mr. C. Byrnes. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned. In his evidence Mr. C. Byrnes stated that Karloss slipped in the trailer and sweated up on route to today's fixture so he felt it was in his best interest to be withdrawn. He further stated that the owners of Karloss were traveling behind him so they brought Karloss back to his yard and that is why he did not arrive at races with his other runners. Having considered all the evidence, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.
K.E Buckley, rider of Across The Ocean trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount clipped a heel after the first hurdle.
The Raceday Stewards fined T.Shanahan, trainer, E65 for failing fit the declared check pieces to Charle Brune (FR), prior to entering the parade ring.
The Raceday Stewards reviewed the unseating of K.E Buckley, ridder of Across The Ocean, after the first hurdle. Having considered the matter and viewed a recording of the race, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Anyway (GER), trained by David Kenneth Budds, placed, first compared with its recent form. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned and The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Handicapper Mr. A. Shaw. Mr A. Shaw stated that today's winning performance marked a significant improvement on Anyway's (GER) previous form including his last run when beaten forty six lengths in Punchestown. David Kenneth Budds stated that he gave Anyway(GER) a break after his last run and that he is a lazy horse who benefited from the application of cheek pieces today. On further questioning he stated that he has the horse more than eight months, that he is owned by his father Mr. P. Budds and that they bought the horse from Mr. C. Byrnes. Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a Senior Racing official for further investigation.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
