McNamara’s Chief serving the family well After a well-backed favourite scoring in the first, there was further cause for cheer amongst many of the punters in the Ballinrobe crowd as Air Chief (6s into 9/2) took race two, the Audi Ballina Handicap. This fourteen furlong event will have made for enjoying viewing for backers and connections of Air Chief. Victorious at Roscommon a fortnight back, the successful chestnut was a notably sweet-traveller under Emmet McNamara and he sent him on over two furlongs out. The pursuers were never looking likely to trouble the Eric McNamara owned and trained eight-year-old from there home and he eventually prevailed by a length and a half from Boxer Beat (the nicely supported 4/1 joint favourite). McNamara disclosed of his winner, of course partnered to victory by his son: "He loves the nice ground. I'm not sure if he'd like firm ground though. "He's had problems with his wind but it doesn't catch him on nice ground. "He's entered in Tipperary on Thursday and he's a possible for there. He'll go back summer jumping soon as well." (TW & EM)
