Charles Byrnes © Photo Healy Racing
The bookies would rather forget about it, but today marks eight years since trainer, Charles Byrnes, pulled off an almighty coup with three of his runners at Roscommon.
The horses involved in the monster gamble were War Anthem, Mr Smith and Top of The Town and their victories were alleged to have cost bookmakers in the region of €5 million.
With Davy Russell in the saddle for all three races, punters were glued to proceedings at Roscommon as he expertly steered the trio home for the County Limerick yard of Charles Byrnes.
Punters who got on the treble at the early prices would have been paid out at an eye-watering 4334-1, however as bettors continued to get stuck in and the bookies realised their mounting liabilities, prices tumbled and the treble at starting prices paid closer to 40-1. War Anthem returned at 6-1, Top Of The Town at 5-4 and Mr Smith at 7-4. All three were gambled down from double-figure prices.
Backed down from 16-1 to 6-1, War Anthem kicked off proceedings in the two mile Maiden Hurdle, chasing leaders in the early stages of the race with Russell sending him into the lead from the second last flight. The duo pulled clear on the run-in to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths. When questioned by authorities regarding the improvement in form, Charles Byrnes reported that the gelding had benefited from the booking of Davy Russell and a complete change of its training routine.
Next up was Mr Smith, gambled down from 14-1 into 7-4, in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle. Despite a heart-in-mouth moment at the third last flight where he was less than fluent, he pulled clear before the last, to land the spoils by an easy four-and-a-quarter-lengths. Once again authorities queried the improved performance, which Byrnes attributed to racing more prominently, a longer trip and the application of blinkers.
It was up to Top of The Town, who shortened from 16-1 into 5-4, to seal the treble and he did so with aplomb, in the handicap hurdle over an extended two miles and seven furlongs. It never looked in doubt as the ice cool Davy Russell oozed confidence before making his winning move from three hurdles from home. He took up the running and pulled well clear on the run in to win by five lengths, providing a moment of pure elation for all those in the know.
