Trainer Michael O'Hare saddled Bale O'Shea to land a gamble (4/1 - 11/4f) in the Christmas Cracker Handicap Hurdle at Navan today.

Ridden by Andrew Lynch, the son of Bob Back travelled well throughout and eventually ran out the easy 11 lengths winner over Baron De Feypo

Indeed the Oliver Brady trained runner-up, now a 12 year old gelding, is the horse flamboyant Attheraces presenter Matt Chapman and the equally vivacious Brady had differing views regarding his ability to ever win again! The gelding's next run will be noteworthy.

Afterwards winning trainer O'Hare stated "Bale O'Shea always worked well at home but never showed the same form on the track. I hope there's more improvement to come now and he may go to Leopardstown over Christmas for another handicap."

Thomas Weekes