Red hot Maddens continue brilliant run

The father and son team of Niall 'Boots' Madden and Niall 'Slippers' continued their excellent run of form as they took the feature race at Ballinrobe this evening, the E.P.S. Pumps 4yo Handicap Hurdle, with the JP McManus owned Whatever It Takes

The winning son of High Chaparral was well backed on course from as high as 14/1 into 13/2 at the off.

He disputed the lead with Chill and Tobar Na Gaoise with the latter fading before the second last.

The winner and Chill then had a ding dong battle up the straight with Whatever It Takes outbattling the runner-up and coming out on top by a head at the finish.

Chill ran a cracker in defeat and was returned at 11/2 for Bryan Cooper and Dessie Hughes. Dysios under Davy Condon (replaced the injured Davy Russell) finished four and a quarter lengths back in third at 8/1 while the 10/3 favourite Tobar Na Gaoise could only manage sixth under Mark Walsh for Edward O’Grady.

Niall 'Boots' Madden has now won with the last four horses he has sent out. The winning streak started last Monday at Naas with Clancy Strand before Highdownhill won at Roscommon on Tuesday and Urhavinalaugh obliged at Sligo on Thursday.

Niall 'Slippers' on the other hand rode the aforementioned winners for his father while he also recorded a double at Downpatrick yesterday winning on Definite Ridge for Edward O’Grady and Namarama for John Queally.

Winning trainer Niall 'Boots' Madden said afterwards: "I’m on a bit of a roll!

"He is only a handy horse. He is not a winter horse and he will go for something similar next.

"He got a good ride and I’m delighted with the way he battled."

(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)