Unfortunately Jersey raider Herbalist refused to load and was withdrawn, necessitating a 10 cent Rule 4 on the Marquees Nationwide Claiming Race at Laytown. That mattered little to connections and backers of eventual winner though, Bussa the half a length victor.

No doubt many of the layers were thankful to winning rider, Chris Geoghegan, as he got enough out of Emmet Butterly's Bussa, to fend off the gambled on Tithonus (7s into 4s).

"He's a grand little horse and I had this race picked out for a long time, as I train him on a beach," said Butterly (1st runner here).

"He has two separate ways of running. What he does on the beach, and what he does on the track. We took a chance that he would do what we know he can do.

"Chris gave him a peach of a ride. I told him to get cover all the way and let him see daylight late on. It all worked out nicely.

"I'm getting married next week and heading off to Portugal."

The winner, Bussa was claimed for 5K, by Tom Quinn.

At the same price Tithonus, the runner-up, was claimed, whilst Captain Midnight (favourite and 6th home here), went to Lisa Sheridan, also for 5K.

The Stewards informed Karl Kukk (in Jersey), trainer that Herbalist (GB), would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

(GC & EM)