Byrnes' Wajaaha lands Leopardstown gamble

Wajaaha picked a good day to gain a first win as the Charles Byrnes trained gelding landed a gamble on his 15th career start to win the opening Kids Go Racing Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown today.

The five year old son of New Approach's initial flat form-figures, when trained by Saeed Bin Suroor for Godolphin, read ' 3-222' and then failed to win in nine subsequent starts for trainer Denis Hogan.

Wajaaha was under pressure when dropping away tamely enough on his debut run for Byrnes at Naas on February 8 but today, when supported from 9/2 — 11/4f on track, showed vast improvement in scoring an on-the-bridle success under jockey Cathal Landers,

Following the race, three-times Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Byrnes said “he had a nice run in Naas and I thought he had come forward a bit from it.

“He's a bit temperamental; when he gets things his own way I'd say he'd look good and he got his own way today.

“He'll tip away and look for another handicap hurdle. He's better off jumping as he went a bit sour on the Flat.”

Quotes from Gary Carson