Pittoni lands touch for Byrnes

Johnny Murtagh gave Pittoni a finely judged front-running ride to land a nice touch for Charles Byrnes in the concluding conditions race at Tipperary.

Backed at 7/2 this morning the support continued on course with Paddy Wilmott's charge sent off 11/8 favourite.

Murtagh asked his mount to stretch turning for home and he kept on strongly down the straight. Galileo's Choice tried hard to throw down a challenge but was always fighting a losing battle and was a length-and-a-quarter down at the line as Pittoni eased up.

"He needs soft ground," said Byrnes afterwards.

"Plans are fluent. He has two options in France over hurdles. One in ten days and the other in a month."