Mark Nunan
Doctor Duffy lands feature for Byrnes and Brouder
Doctor Duffy and Kevin Brouder jump the last to win the McHale Mayo National
© Photo Healy Racing
Doctor Duffy (6/1) landed the featured McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase (Grade B) for Charles Byrnes and Kevin Brouder.
Again wearing the visor which had been applied for the first time when winning his beginners’ chase at Kilbeggan last time, Kevin Brouder sent him to the front heading out on the final circuit. Ask Nile looked to be travelling best in second on the run to the final fence but he didn’t really see out the trip, and Doctor Duffy galloped on to beat Chavi Artist (16/1) by three and a quarter lengths, with Ask Nile (16/1) in third a place ahead of the 11/4 favourite Go Another One
Three times a winner over hurdles, the successful Craigsteel 7-year-old was making a winning handicap chase debut off a mark of 135.
Winning trainer Charles Byrnes said: "It’s a great pot to win and he could go for the Kerry National now. The entries are closing during the week.
“He wasn’t really travelling for him in behind. He (Brouder) kicked him on then and he kept going.
“The visor seems to have been a help, though it didn’t look to be working when he was in behind there.”
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy