Boost for Byrnes following Cheltenham blow

Charles Byrnes registered a timely winner at Limerick today as his J.P. McManus-owned All Those Years (5/2) gave the local trainer a boost following yesterday's injury to Cheltenham candidate Shoot First.

Byrnes withdrew leading fancy Shoot First from Cheltenham's Pertemps Final having received a minor training setback yesterday, and today landed Limerick's Book Online Beginners Chase with All Those Years, who received a fine waiting ride from Luke Dempsey.

Regarding Shoot First, Byrnes, with four other Cheltenham runners, reported “it was very disappointing. He gave himself a bang, we aren't fully sure how it happened and we picked it up at lunchtime yesterday. That's the way unfortunately.”

He added “six-runner beginners' chases don't happen too often nowadays and it looked a nice opportunity for All Those Years, as there were three horses with more-or-less the same ratings.

“That's his level but he's not a bad horse and jumps really well. Chasing might improve him and he won't run during the summer as he does handle the soft.”