Your Busy makes all to win the feature

Your Busy put in a game front running performance to win the feature race on day three of the Killarney July Festival, the Ashes Bar Glenbeigh Handicap Hurdle.

Formerly owned by Irish Rugby legend Ronan O’Gara, the ten-year-old son of Anshan is now owned by his trainer James Nash.

Friendless in the betting, he was 9/1 last night with Paddy Power, opening on-course at 14/1 before going off a 16/1 chance.

Runner-up in this race in 2010, he went straight into the lead under David Casey and he was ridden at the third last, keeping on well under pressure from there, to score by half a length at the line. Dingaling (9/1) stayed on well to take second under Adrian Heskin for Michael Hourigan, while Balnaslow (20/1) was a further four and a half lengths back in third under Davy Russell for Willie Mullins. Letherbelucky was sent off the 11/4 favourite but she disappointingly pulled up under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins.

The winner was recording his fourth career success this evening and his first since scoring at Galway in August of 2011.

He ran poorly on his first two starts of the year at Fairyhouse and Ayr, but he put in a much improved performance on his last start at Bellewstown, finishing four and three parts of a length second to Ocean Bright.

James Nash said afterwards: "He had a great run the last day and he needed to improve from it as it was his first run back after a break.

"I was very a happy with the run at Bellewstown and in fairness to him he hasn’t had his ground in two seasons.

"He had been disappointing but I thought he had a great chance today and I told a few people to back him each-way.

"He got a freebie in front and he jumped great. He has always been better over fences and he will go for the Galway Blazers now.

"Ronan (O’Gara) said that he would be in France for a few years (now the assistant coach at Racing Metro) and that he had no interest in having a horse in training in Ireland at the moment."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes