Double the Ballinrobe Story for Gibney & O'Keeffe

Story Rory completed a double at Ballinrobe for Darragh O'Keeffe and Tom Gibney as he claimed the first divide of the FBD Handicap Hurdle.

Previously trained by Conor O'Dwyer and more recently by Robert Widger, the son of Oscar was the subject of a gamble on his first start for Gibney at Tramore last month.

He failed to fire on that occasion when favourite and was sent off at 6s this evening, from early shows of 10/1.

Settled in mid-division on the outer, he took closer order from halfway and went second before three out. In front shortly after the next, he was ridden on the run-in and soon stretched clear, coming home five-and-a-half lengths to the good. Lady L'lerom was sent off the well-backed 13/8 favourite (from 7/2 early) and she finished second under Shane Fitzgerald for Shane Nolan. Karla Martina (13/2) was thirteen lengths back in third, while Buto (13/2) completed the places another three lengths away in fourth.

Gibney, who combined with O'Keeffe to take the opener with Ballybaun Star said: "That’s his level and it’s fantastic for his owner Damien Conway, who’s a local man and has a few horses with me.

"For Damien to get the win here is big for him, and to have a double here is big for me. Like I said I love coming here and it’s a lucky place for us.

"He has a bit of size and we'll probably go chasing with him at some point."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Glenabo Bridge trained by Oliver McKiernan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan