Ballinrobe trip pays off for the O'Briens

Aidan and Sarah O'Brien made a fruitless trip to Ballinrobe on Monday evening with Rosshaven Lady (5th), but there was to be no denying them at the second attempt when newcomer Captain Barbossa took the McHale Bale Wrappers Flat Race for his owner J P McManus (doubling up after The Gatechecker s earlier win).

This seven runner extended two mile event seemed to be a muddling affair, and over the last couple of furlongs into developed into a four-cornered battle, between Shouband (cried enough inside the last after being keen), Captain Barbossa (well-backed 13/8 favourite), Bertie Bell and Scoir Mear

At the line Captain Barbossa got the best of it, by a short head from Bertie Bell, with a nose to Scoir Mear. Shouband was a three and three parts of a length back.

The well-backed second market-choice, Colwinston (keen), disappointed and eventually finished a tailed off sixth.

"That was great. The lads always liked him. I'm not sure what kind of race it was and he will probably go for another bumper. I'd imagine he will come on from that," commented Aidan O'Brien.

He added: "They do some job here and the track is twice the track it was."

(DM & EM)