Cawley's charge seizes his opportunity

Select Opportunity (2/1 fav) followed up his recent win over fences at Sligo when taking the Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle.

Chris Timmons bided his time on the Fruits Of Love eight-year-old before sending him on after negotiating the last to beat Lagenod (5/1) by four and a half lengths. There were fairly sizeable margins back to Magistralis (14/1) and Bythesametoken (8/1) in third and fourth.

“He was entitled to win. He has had a lot of chances over hurdles, and knocked on the door a few times last year,” said winning owner-trainer Eddie Cawley.

“I was delighted to see the ground drying out. Chris said he still wasn't in love with it.

“He held on to him as long as he could turning in, I was worried that he wasn't holding on to a lot.

“He won well in the end. Off his weight he had only a stamp on his back and that stands to them.

“He has limited ability but anytime you get a race out of them it's not too bad."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson