Adams Barbour (far-side, Chris Hayes) just beat No Speed Limit and Wayne Lordan (near)© Photo Healy Racing
Adams Barbour (28/1) got loose before the start but that didn’t stop him winning the Winter Series Awards Day 18th April Handicap, the opener at Dundalk.
Always on the front end under leading jockey for the winter all weather series, Chris Hayes, Adams Barbour was strongly pressed in the final furlong by another Northern Irish runner, No Speed Limit (10/1).
Already a course winner here over six furlongs, the successful Elzaam gelding was always going to see out this sprint trip well, which he did with a neck to spare.
They drew two lengths ahead of the third, Blastofmagic
“He was in serious form last week, and we had the money on him then, but he missed the kick and wasn't really in the race. We were disappointed,” said Smyth.
“He dropped Chris going out there as he was in such great form and I thought we had blown our chances again.
“He threw him in the air with a massive buck going out but the warm up to the start did him no harm.
“I said to Chris that he has to be ridden prominently, he won like that before, and he's won it again.
“He is what he is, he's going to be a low grade handicapper, but he'll give the owner a lot of fun. It's his second win for us now and we had the half-sister who won three for us over five furlongs.
“Their dam seems to produce nice speedy stock so we'll certainly be looking for the next one out of her if we can find it.
“Credit to Chris for getting back up on the horse. Going out like that it looks nasty and it's hard to explain that he's in savage form and seriously well in himself.
“Chris ran to the start and got back up on him. I said to him 'he'll win now, he's had a good warm up so let's get it done' and he did.
“He doesn't know the horse, that's his first time sitting on him, so for him to take my word and get back up on him I appreciate that. All credit to him.
“My missus Georgie rides him at home and she said to me 'Lee I can't understand why he didn't win last week, he'll win tonight' so in fairness to her she got it right.”
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Brave Display trained by J.J.Lambe, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount met interference out of the stalls.
The Stewards reviewed an incident immediately after leaving stalls involving It's All A Joke ridden by Siobhan Rutledge, and Brave Display, ridden by J.A. Heffernan. Having reviewed the recording and considered the matter the Stewards decided that no further action was warranted.
(GC & EM)
