Tomcoole gets off mark in style

Long standing maiden Tomcoole Lad make the breakthrough in serious style when running out a facile winner of the Corrib Food Products Handicap Chase at Galway.

Lar Byrne 's charge had run 37 times previously with 18 starts in point-to-points and 19 'on the track'.

The 11-year-old travelled well into contention today in the 2m6f contest and hit the front at the final fence.

He pulled clear turning for home, under a motionless 'Slippers' Madden, and was eased down at the line to score by eight lengths from Magical Mother

The 10/1 winner had previously been placed four times over fences, all at Tramore, including last time out. He was running off a lowly mark of 75.

The winner owner/breeder Donal Doyle is from Barntown in County Wexford.