Happy connections of Pass The Ball; Niall 'Slippers' Madden and his father Niall 'Boots'© Photo Healy Racing
Pass The Ball made it five from six for favourite backers at Killarney, as he made all in the Download And Bet With The Ladbrokes App Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Niall 'Boots' Madden, and ridden by his son Niall 'Slippers', the Westerner gelding opened on-course at 9/2, before going off the 7/2 favourite in the colours of JP McManus.
Recently successful on the level at Bellewstown under Tom Madden, the versatile nine-year-old was pushed along from two out, and never looked in danger of being caught, keeping on well from after the last to score by three and a half lengths. Messie finished second at 4/1 under Phillip Enright for Stephen Ryan, while Oighear Dubh (16/1) was another four and three parts of a length back in third.
The winning rider said afterwards: "He was good and likes that ground. He just likes to gallop and did it well.
"He had top weight so technically was supposed to be the best horse in the race and did that thank God.
"He has turned into the new Shake The Bucket (versatile stablemate) but has a bit to catch up on him!
"I'm home for a few days and it's lovely to come home and ride the likes of him."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
