Dawn justifies favouritism under Walsh

Leave At Dawn justified favouritism in the Killarney Outlook Publications Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Mark Walsh for Charles Byrnes and JP McManus.

The five-year-old son of Presenting landed a gamble at Thurles in November and he went up a massive sixteen pounds for that success.

He disappointed when attempting to follow-up at Clonmel the next week and he was given a break after that.

Available at 8/1 last night (before the five non-runners were taken out) he opened on-course at just 5/2 before going off the clear 2/1 favourite.

Settled in mid-division he improved to take closer order before four out and he was fifth entering the straight.

He came through to lead at the second last and he was ridden out on the run-in to see off Sardinia by a length and three parts.

The runner-up was returned at 8/1 under Mikey Fogarty for Paul Nolan while Kylecrue was a further two and three parts back in third under Ryan Treacy for John Ryan at 10/1.

Charles Byrnes said afterwards: "All the non-runners made it handy - five of the first eight in the market came out this morning.

"I'm not getting carried away and hopefully the handicapper won't either! He'll be left off now and possibly will stay hurdling when he comes back in."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes