Top Of The Town delights connections

The alarming market drift may have put some off but connections certainly gave Top Of The Town a rousing welcome back to the number one spot after he took the honours in the Kedrah House Stud 'Well Chosen' Beginners Chase at Tipperary.

Off a 201 day break and making his chase debut Top Of The Town did get the second last fence wrong but he's a doughty battler and he got the better of Baily Moon on the run-in for a length and a half victory.

"I'm very happy with him and he'll tip away for the summer. He needs three miles and good ground and while he's not the biggest in the world, he jumps well," said winning trainer Charles Byrnes.

"I thought he'd a good chance but was a small bit worried when they put on all the water. We weren't over confident but all the owners (from the Top Of The Town Bar in Askeaton) backed him this morning at 7/4 and 2/1.

"There aren't many winners' of one races for the summer so he might have to go handicapping now."

Top Of The Town was of course part of the famous Byrnes/Russell treble landed at Roscommon last August.

B.J. Cooper, rider of Crest (GB) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a number of mistakes and was pulled up.

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Ms. Avena O'Keeffe, that B.T. O'Connell, rider of First Crusade weighed in 1.2lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rule 231 and having considered his clean record, cautioned him concerning his future responsibilities in this regard.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Crest (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(TW & EM)