Roadtotheisland scores on handicap debut

Roadtotheisland ran out a surprise 11/1 winner (opened at 14/1 on-course) of the Guinness Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Shane Shortall for Athnery owner/trainer Martin Cullinane.

The six-year-old son of Heron Island showed very little before today but fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and making his debut in handicap company he made the breakthrough.

He travelled well on the outer as they turned into the straight for the final time and he was soon ridden to the front, keeping on well on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths. Old Theatre Royal ran on to take second at 14/1 under Kevin Sexton for Lorcan Donnelly, while Glasson Lad was a further two lengths back in third under Ben Dalton for Michael Mulvany at 20/1.

The Mark McNiff trained Pennys Tune was sent off the 3/1 favourite but she was left at the start after rearing up and refusing to go with the others.

Martin Cullinane said afterwards: "I thought the mare (Honourable Lady) had a better chance as she was second here before.

"The cheekpieces helped him and he went on the ground. He did it easy and some horses just like this place.

"We'll see what there is in Galway for him now."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson