Jonathon Burke pictured with The Baler and Niall Cronin© Photo Healy Racing
The Baler landed a gamble as he got up close home to take the Richie Kavanagh Cabaret Show Handicap Chase, scoring under Jonathan Burke for Philip Dempsey.
Having opened at 12/1 last night, the son of son of Whitmore’s Conn was available at 14’s in a place this morning, starting on-course at just 5’s before going off the 4/1 second favourite.
The eight-year-old, who finished second in a point-to-point at Inch recently, carried just nine stone twelve here with Burke taking off a valuable seven pounds.
In what was a bunch finish to the two mile seven furlong contest (just over three lengths between the first five home) it was The Baler who outstayed his rivals, getting up in the shadow of the post to score by a length. Maddoxtown (25/1) , wearing cheekpieces for the first-time, finished a gallant second under Andrew Lynch for Robbie Hennessy while Duroob was a further length and a quarter back in third under Adrian Heskin for Oliver Brady at 20/1. Easy Vic was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he finished a close-up fourth under Paul Carberry for Tony Martin.
Philip Dempsey said afterwards: "He lost his way but this year he has come back. He had a good run in the Bishopscourt (at the Punchestown Festival), though I don't know how good a race that was.
"He hops off that ground and we'll keep going at it.
"My own son Luke rode pony racing with Johnny so I've seen him all along. He's destined for good things. This horse wouldn't be an easy ride and he hangs."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
