Byrnes times it to perfection with well judged Spider Man ride

The Charles Byrnes trained I Am Spider Man followed up his recent win at the same track when staying on best from off the pace to take the Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle at the western venue.

Stepping up beyond three miles for the first time, Philip Byrnes anchored the 4/1 chance towards rear of the 14 runner field for much of this race. Benny The Duke led for much of the contest but was headed three out as Sphagnum took over under Dillon Maxwell. The latter appeared to make a race winning move after two out, as he kicked from the front quickly going clear.

However, Byrnes moved off in pursuit around the outside of runners, taking second on the run into the straight.

Closing up to lead approaching the last, the seven-year-old kept on best to win by a length-and-a-quarter at the finish.

Philip Byrnes said: "I was fairly hopeful he'd get this trip and I actually thought 2m4f might be too sharp for him before he won here the last day. But he won well that day and we were happy to come back here.

"It's three hours from our door but we love coming here and call it our local track. It's a track where there's a fair pull from the third-last, and again from the last, and the race can change complexion quite a lot.

"He was good and game for me after the last and we're happy to get another win with him."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.