Spear gets back on track in Billecart-Salmon

Golden Spear recorded his first success in just over two years, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Grade B Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle.

A winner of the November Handicap at Leopardstown in October of 2016, the Tony Martin trained seven-year-old failed to follow-up in fourteen starts since.

Last seen finishing a respectable eleventh of thirty-three in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, the son of Kyllachy was sent off a 12/1 chance this afternoon, racing for the first time in the colours of owner John Breslin.

Settled in mid-division by Eoin O'Connell, the chestnut victor moved into fourth before three out, and came with his challenge approaching the next.

He readily got to the front before the final flight, and despite a sloppy jump there, he kept on well on the run-in to score comfortably by five lengths. Shanning who was returned the 13/8 favourite, had to settle for second under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins, while Stooshie (10/1) was another eight lengths back in third.

Martin said afterwards: "Sure look he was deserving of a good pot, he's been consistent and ran a lovely race in the Cesarewitch in England three weeks ago.

"Prior to that he was second in a (Cesarewitch) trial. He wasn't beaten too far by two of Willie's (Mullins) there the last day and ran a lovely race.

"He has been consistent all his life and has won plenty of good pots. He's a right little horse and he's been magic.

"Every year he just keeps doing jobs like that so we'll keep tipping away with him in both codes."

STEWARDS REPORT

A.L.T.Moore, trainer of Crossed My Mind reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge was found to be clinically abnormal post race.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham