Erution leads home Comein Comein© Photo Healy Racing
Chris Hayes stepped in for an unwell Declan McDonogh and rode a double at Bellewstown courtesy of Eruption in the Western Motors Cupra Handicap over the extended five furlongs.
The race boiled down to a match between Eruption, who was runner-up in this race last year, and Comein Comein (3/1f) with the former finding just that bit more to prevail by half a length at 10/3. There was a three-length gap back to third-placed Hero Of The Hour (22/1).
Hayes said: "I knew I was going to get there. She just got a little bit unbalanced with me for a couple of strides and it unbalanced me, and then I had to have one cut to hit the road right. If you can hit the road right on the right stride, normally you will hit top gear which she did.
"She was carrying a lot of weight (10st 2lb), I had to get the lend of a National Hunt saddle to do the weight!
"A good performance and he (Smith) was fairly sweet on the chances, so hopefully she can follow up again.
"20 years to the day since I rode my first winner here on Anonymity for the late Gerry Lynch (Friday 2nd July 2004)."
This also brought up a double for trainer Matthew Smith who supplied Hayes with Blackcastle Storm in race three.
