In May of 2012 Stephen Mahon's Usa landed a gamble at Ballinrobe having been runner-up the previous day. Well in the case of his Green Thirty Two he was fourth yesterday but he stepped up three places less than twenty four hours later to claim the McGrath Quarries 50th Anniversary Handicap Hurdle.

No one was begrudging winning connections their success as in the previous race owner, Tom Quinn, trainer Stephen Mahon and rider Robbie Dunne had been narrowly denied with Aranhill Chief

Green Thirty Two (14s into 7s) led after two out and it was soon all over barring accidents as the bottom-weight skipped clear to Rolling Rocket by five and a half lengths.

"We were waiting for that ground but as soon as it comes they water it!

"They didn't water it today because of the rain and that's why he's won.

"He was a bit unlucky – maybe he should have won yesterday.

"He had a swim at 6am this morning," was Mahon's summation in the aftermath. (DM & EM)