Well-backed Billboa bags Dundalk's opener

Billboa (5/2 — 11/8f) followed up a December course maiden win with a second consecutive success at Dundalk today, landing the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap for trainer Willie Browne and jockey Seamie Heffernan.

The 73-rated son of Brazen Beau raced behind the leaders in the five-furlong sprint and moved to the front inside the final furlong, scoring by a half-length from Samrogue

Well-known breeze-up consignor Browne reported “that's a fun horse and belongs to my partner (Tracey Kearney). He didn't make the breeze up as he got an injury.

"We had 10st 3lb today - a big weight, and he beat a horse (Samrogue) which has run well in the last couple of weeks. The form of Billboa's maiden win has also been franked.

"I'd like to find another race here before it finishes, he likes it here and not only does he get six furlongs but I'd say he will get seven.

"He's a big heavy horse and I ran him here last year and he was third, and was a bit sore after it. Then I started running him on soft ground on grass and he couldn't handle it. He's a powerful horse."

Quotes from Michael Graham