Sammy Black tops in Mayo National

As the 11/4 favourite Sammy Black had a lot of punters smiling after his performance to take the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe.

Danny Mullins, riding the Black Sam Bellamy gelding for his father Tony, in the colours of his employer, Barry Connell, made all aboard the six-year-old.

The German-bred stayed at it well in the closing stages of the two and three quarter miler to dispose of Shamiran s challenge by five and a half lengths.

Tony Mullins remarked: "When he gets into a rhythm he is a lovely horse. They went a fair clip today, I thought he was maybe going too fast early and only for the last ditch he was foot perfect.

"I don't know whether we will let him off. I'd have the Galway Plate half in my mind, Barry is half thinking of the Paddy Power at Christmas and the Thyestes.

"Big staying handicap chases are what he will go for and we are going to have a go at a couple of them anyway, so we will discuss it and see.

"When he gets into a rhythm he seems to be a better horse. The other Black Sam Bellamy horse I have is Sam Da Vinci, he is the same, and I think you will see huge improvement in him this year as well.

"This lad was unlucky that he met a good horse at Killarney (You Must Know Me), he ran well, wrong at the weights, so he deserved to do what he did today on the Killarney run and hopefully we can build on that now."

P. Townend, rider of Caoimhe's Delight trained by Sean O. O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and was pulled up.

P.J. Rothwell, trainer of Beneficial Spirit reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge burst a blood vessel and was pulled up.

P.T. Enright, rider of Fantastic Gold (GB) trained by M.O. Cullinane, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a respiratory noise and was pulled up.

(DM & EM)