Bobby provides Moore with first Irish success Our Bobby provided Niall Moore with his first success in Ireland, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Tote Handicap Hurdle. A good fourth of twenty on his penultimate start at Punchestown in May, the John Burke trained five-year-old since unseated at Roscommon. Available at 22/1 in early shows, the third reserve came in for market support, eventually going off a 13/2 chance. Settled in mid-division, the grey gelding improved into a closer third from three out and was pushed along to challenge in second on the approach to the next. In front shortly after that flight, he was ridden clear on the run-in, coming home six lengths to the good. He’s Leading Me On (2/1f) finished second under Shane Fitzgerald for Leslie Young, while Strong Roots (25s early, returned just 3/1), was another nine lengths away in third. Moore said in the aftermath: "I was with Evan Williams for fifteen months. It was great and I rode three winners for him. This success has been a while coming but I’ve had great support from the Burke’s who would be second cousins of mine. I’m from Gortnahoo, it’s a small parish in Tipperary. The Burke's would have got me into racing. Julie (Burke) is home from America and I've learned loads from her. "I'm based with Philip Fenton and Gordon Elliott. I've had a good few rides for them both and it's going grand. It’s nice to get off the mark here. "I did fancy him today. I was worried about the ground but the boys told me he would handle it and then I was fairly confident. He has matured a lot from the last day. He attempted to run out at Roscommon and it was just immaturity. He is improving the whole time."
