Vinnie edges a thriller in the bumper

Our Vinnie finally opened his account in the bumper at Naas but only after a great tussle with The Craft Butcher inside the final quarter mile.

The 4/6 favourite, placed on all three previous outings, appreciated this two miles and three furlongs stamina test under Robbie McNamara.

The Limerick native oozed confidence early in the straight but had to get really serious in the final furlong as the Charles Byrnes-trained gelding went head-to-head with his 6/1 rival.

Just a nose separated the pair after the judge Andrew McKeever gave his verdict, with Busty Brown another six lengths back in third.

Byrnes said, “He deserved it and Robbie gave him a great ride. He won't do a whole lot more this year and may have one more run over a similar trip.

“He kept telling us he wanted more than two miles. He's a nice horse and will go hurdling next season.”

Byrnes also had news of Pittoni who will run next in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park on February 18.

The six-year-old, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles at Leopardstown as a juvenile, has been absent since trailing home behind Grandouet in the StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham (December 10).

“We gave him a break after Cheltenham and will start him back in the Red Mills. Hopefully he could be one of the highest rated in that race,” said Byrnes.

He added, “We'll see how he gets on there and make plans after that. He won't be going to Cheltenham.”