Charismas gives Byrnes landmark success There was a family success in the six furlong handicap at Dundalk as Charismas Birthday gave Birr handler Philip Byrne his first winner. Byrne trains the filly for his mother Mary and the daughter of Choisor was bred by his father Michael. Leigh Roche bounced the filly out in front and kept on well under pressure down the straight. Naoise and Cailin Coillteach stayed on well to take the placings but couldn't get to the two-length winner. There was strong support for Alvar, from 13/2 into 10/3 favourite, but he failed to figure back in eighth. Byrne, a former point-to-point jockey, took out a restricted licence last year to train a few horses that weren't sold on. "I had my first runner last May. We breed and sell horses and whatever we don't sell we race," said Byrne. "We were waiting for a six furlong race for her. She ran well the last day and did the job today. "It was a great ride from Leigh - he was very positive in front and is a talented young rider."
