Grozni up and over the last© Photo Healy Racing
After winning race five in Punchestown on Gaius Philip Byrnes quickly doubled up with Grozni in the next - the extended two mile seven furlong handicap hurdle.
Grozni delivered at Navan in September but disappointed under the 7lb penalty two days later in Listowel. Freshened up with three weeks off, it was a different story today.
He was well placed in third jumping four out and strode to the head of affairs racing to the second-last.
The 16/5 favourite was on good terms with himself and jumped that flight big and bold. He then began to move clear of Paddy Wickla approaching the home bend.
He was clear at the last and breezed in by two and a quarter lengths from a staying-on Coventry (5/1). Gambled-on Paddy Wickla dropped to third at 14/1.
Trainer Charles Byrnes said: “He was good today, he got him to relax. He pulled too hard in Listowel and couldn't breathe properly. He settled today and his breathing was okay.
“Philip had a double in Ballinrobe when he was just after turning professional and he got injured then after that.
“We'll look for something similar over three miles, whatever pops up.
“He made one or two mistakes early on, and I was a bit concerned but he got him jumping then. It's a good day at the office.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
