Byrnes hotpot survives final flight fright

The Charles Byrnes trained Wonder Laish justified strong 1/2 favouritism when landing the M.S.D. Animal Health Maiden Hurdle at Listowel today, but not before giving his supporters a fright at the final flight.

Ridden by Davy Russell, the ex-flat racer arrived to challenge leader Iusetaluvheronce at the second last and while clearly travelling much better approaching the last, gave his followers a serious ‘oh no’ moment with a mistake at the final obstacle.

It allowed Iusetaluvheronce another chance early on the run-in but the winning son of Halling picked up almost instantly and passed the line a length and three parts ahead, with Russell affording a wry grin on pulling up.

Byrnes later said “he looked the class horse of the race but he still had to go and do it. He settled well and jumped well enough apart from the mistake at the last and won handy enough I thought.

“Davy (Russell) was very patient and left the other horses do the donkey work and it’s great to get the win for the owner (Martin White). We had a winner yesterday with Alto Esqua and he has a good few horses with me but hadn’t much success for the last seven or eight months.

“He’ll tip away in a novice but you wouldn’t be jumping up and down after today! If we got heavy ground he might run in the November Handicap.”