Bobby & Bates make a good team Bobby John bounced back to his best to take the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for his trainer Francis Flood with Declan Bates aboard. Having sprang a 20/1 surprise at Cork on the last day of March, the son of Bob Back was sent off the favourite on his last two starts but failed to deliver finishing a close fourth on both occasions. Today the 5yo was sent off at 13/2, third favourite and was never too far off the pace. He took up the lead before the second last and went clear before the last, where he put in a great jump. He stayed on well on the run-in to score by a comfortable seven lengths. Heavenly Bound was best of the rest back in second at 12/1, with the mare Benefitthewest a further two lengths behind in third at 10/1. Muzak at 16/1 completed the placings just a head back in fourth. The winning owners the JRM Racing Syndicate, have enjoyed plenty of success at the Galway Festival in the past, as their P’tit Fute won three times here including the valuable amateur riders Handicap on the Monday back in 2006. Winning trainer Francis Flood said afterwards: "He stayed going and he got a brilliant ride from Declan. He had him in the right place all the way. "It's great because his owner John Mahon is over from America. He is originally from Longford but has been in America for years. "It's good to get a winner at Galway and we will try and get something similar for him now." Donal Murphy
