Griffin and Burke have Irish star smiling

Bank Bonus who missed out on a Leopardstown November Handicap engagement yesterday owing to the fact that there was no suitable rider available, was quickly back in action to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Wexford under Jonathan Burke.

Bank Bonus was well supported – from 100/30 into 9/4 favouritism – for this two miler, on the back of a Tipperary runner-up effort earlier in the month, on his reappearance after a break in the summer.

Burke's mount got the better of Top Cat Henry from the last and went on to prevail by five and a half lengths from Springfield Grey

"It is nice to finally get a win with him, he has been knocking on the door there for a while. John O'Shea (Irish international) and a group of his friends from Ferrybank own him so it is nice to get a win for them," said winning trainer Eoin Griffin.

"I thought Johnny gave him a super ride, he took his time there when they seemed to be going a stride too quick in front. He is after being a little bit frustrating but he got there eventually.

"He is in again at Down Royal on Friday, it is unlikely that he will go but we will see what he gets for this. He won't go on winter heavy ground but he doesn't go on summer ground either so that ground is ideal for him. He is a summer soft horse really." (DM & EM)