Balofilo clears the last under John Fitzpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
Martin Cullinane recorded his first win in over a year (last winner came on July 13th 2014) as his Balofilo claimed the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle to provide his rider John Fitzpatrick with his first success since turning professional.
The five-year-old daughter of Teofilo ran well to finish second on her penultimate start at Ballinrobe but disappointed last time out again at the Co Mayo venue.
Sent off at 7/1 today she was settled in mid-division on the outer. She took closer order from three out and jumped the next in a share of the lead.
She was pushed along to lead approaching the last and kept on well under pressure on the run-in to score easily by five and a half lengths. Just Get Cracking (10/1) kept on well to take second under Shane Crimin for James Dullea while Mackey Boy (13/2) was a further three and three parts back in third under Eamonn O'Connell for Pat Neville. Just Call Me was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he was the first horse beaten, trailing home in eighth under Donagh Meyler for Andrew McNamara.
Cullinane said afterwards: "She has a nice pedigree being out of a Monsun mare. They didn't go a mad pace and it probably suited her.
"She is entered at Ballinrobe on Tuesday, and we'll see how she comes out of this."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Just Call Me, trained by A.J. McNamara, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
