Tullybeg and Danny Gilligan lead over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Tullybeg completed a treble for Gordon Elliott and a double for Danny Gilligan, as he claimed the season feature at Ballinrobe, the Listed McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase.
Twice successful over fences last year, the Sholokhov chestnut had a break from October to April, finishing a respectable fifth on his return to action in a Grade A contest at the Punchestown Festival.
Sent off a 12/1 chance this evening, he was settled in mid-division by Gilligan and was fifth from halfway.
Not fluent five out, he took closer order from the third last and needed to be switched to the outer to challenge on the approach to the next.
He gained a narrow lead at the last and was ridden out on the run-in, coming home a length-and-three-quarters clear of Sole Pretender in second.
The runner-up was returned at 7/2 (from 10s early) under Darragh O'Keeffe for Norman Lee, while Life In The Park (3/1fav) was another six-and-a-half-lengths away in third.
"He'd a lovely run in Punchestown where we were delighted with him and Danny gave him a great ride," Elliott said of the Bective Stud owned victor.
"He likes good ground and could be a Midlands National/Galway Plate type of horse. This is a great pot to win (most valuable race ever run at Ballinrobe) and we're delighted."
Elliott and Gilligan were earlier successful with Fils d'Oudairies while Elliott doubled his tally with An Mhi
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident on the home bend approaching the last involving Life In The Park, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, placed third, Tullybeg, ridden by D.J Gilligan, placed first, and Fairyhill Run ridden by L. Quinlan, placed fourth, where it appeared Racheal Blackmore had to check her mount. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
At the request of the Raceday Stewards, B. Hayes, rider of Aldo The Apache trained by C.A.Murphy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a bad mistake, his saddle slipped and he had to pull up.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
