O'Brien off the mark with Pride

Richard O’Brien saddled his first winner as a trainer when Alans Pride made all for a convincing win in the first division of the Shabra Charity Foundation Handicap at Dundalk.

Billy Lee bounced out in front on the 9/2 shot and he stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-quarter length success.

The five-year-old had been third on just his second outing for the Ballingarry handler at the course a fortnight ago.

“That’s my first winner so I’m delighted. It’s exciting for us,” said O’Brien.

“Some friends of mine bought him in November, they gave small money for him, and they gave him to me. I have to give the credit to Charlie Maguire and Alan Devine.

“He probably came on a little bit from the last night and he found plenty there. He did it fairly easy in the end.

“Bill said he was going to do that. He said there was no point disappointing him and let him travel away.

“I was very hopeful as it just seemed to fit in perfectly with the couple of weeks between today and the last day. It looked a little bit hotter than the last day.

“There is something over six next Friday and I’d say he’d be okay over that.

“We’ve only four for the track and four two-year-olds. We’re mad keen to get a few more.

“I’m based in Ballingarry, very close to where Charles Byrnes trains.”