Linden Arden © Photo Healy Racing
Linden Arden out of the great Solerina and a half-brother to three winners over the larger obstacles, made a fine start over fences in the Corrib Oil Beginners Chase.
Ridden for Michael Bowe by Brian Hayes, the 11/1 chance was prominent throughout, jumped soundly and overcame the unwanted attentions of loose market leader Ring O Roses to beat Ossifer Hops by five-and-a-half lengths.
Winning owner-breeder John Bowe remarked: "This means a lot. Brian actually spotted this race about two months ago and it seemed ideal for him. He said one of the biggest factors was that the ground wasn't too soft on the chase track and he had come on a lot, fitness-wise, for his run at Sligo.
"He only had one schooling session last weekend at the Curragh and seems to have taken well to fences.
"Brian did well to keep him away from the loose horse, and another horse running keen, and it all worked out.
"There are chase winners in the family and he has that physique, so we thought he would, maybe, be better over fences.
"Solerina is gone two years now, but we have two half-brothers and a half-sister coming along, so we're looking forward to them. This is our first winner at Ballinrobe."
