Awbeg Prince and Chris O'Donovan© Photo Healy Racing
Former champion novice point-to-point rider Chris O'Donovan registered his third track success when Awbeg Prince took the honours in the McHale F5500 Baler Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Mikey O'Connor trains this Vinnie Roe gelding for the Barney Syndicate (they also bred the seven-year-old) and here he was always to the fore before inflicting a two and a quarter length defeat on Gallant John Joe
Afterwards O'Connor reflected: "A few people rang me to know would he win but I didn't over fancy him because he was going to be a lot better (fitness wise) but the only thing I did say was that if he's a very good horse he'll win.
"In fairness he's done it and he's probably only 85/90 percent still which is good for us going forward.
"He's had a fair blow after it.
"We got caught out last year which I blame myself for. We walked the ground in Listowel and convinced ourselves that he'd handle it.
"He's 17.1 but it's only now that he's a horse. He's only filled out and we'll enjoy the summer and tip away.
"He's a big athlete - with his long legs bad ground isn't the thing for him.
"He'll take us where he'll take us."
A.E. Lynch, rider of Our Native Land trained by Barry T. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got kicked at the start and never travelled.
Barry T. Murphy, trainer of Our Native Land, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge was marked after being kicked at the start and was found to be lame post race.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Paris Texas (FR), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race and to have lost a left fore shoe. Samples were taken for analysis.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Glan Y Gors trained by Alan Fleming was found to have pulled its right fore shoe post race.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Our Native Land, trained by Barry T. Murphy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame behind and to have pulled its left fore shoe.
