Byerley Babe wins a thriller

Byerley Babe gamely answered Phillip Enright’s urgings and stuck her head out for the line to beat De Dodger by a head at Cork in the Grade C hurdle over two miles three furlongs.

De Dodger travelled powerfully into the race as he swooped round the outside of the field on the home bend and very much into contention under Paul Townend.

However, he was still in second after the last and despite Townend getting into the drive position Byerley Babe held on and justified 2/1 favouritism.

Robert Tyner trains the six-year-old mare and he said: “She battled well on the ground against seasoned handicappers.

“It was a good ride from Phillip and she’ll go to Punchestown now for one of those mares races.”

De Dodger was the subject of a lot of support this morning from 16/1 to 8/1. He went off at 7s. Clar Na Mionn completed the placings in third at 14/1 under Shane Butler, two and a quarter lengths away.

The winner was owner JP McManus’ third on the day after Sitcom and Call Rog (at Fairyhouse).

Additional reporting by Alan Magee