Limerick trainer dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory after big race win at Navan

BALLINGARRY trainer Charles Byrnes was the headline maker at Navan on Sunday where his high-class stayer Blazing Khal made a triumphant return to action in the Grade 2 William Hill Boyne Hurdle.

Off the track for all of 14 months, the seven-year-old jumped to the head of the ante-post betting markets for the Stayers’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival with a three-length win over the Oliver McKiernan-trained Meet And Greet at odds of 5/1.

The seven-year-old was ridden by Philip Byrnes who gave his father a second winner on the day as 4/1 shot Temptationinmilan scored a narrow success in the three-mile handicap chase.

Owned by Flor McCarthy, the winning trainer’s brother-in-law, the seven-year-old led after the third-last fence and held off the late surge of the Philip Rothwell-trained Galon De Vauzelle by a shorthead. 

Meanwhile, another Ballingarry-based trainer, Richard O'Brien, sent out the easiest winner of the night at Dundalk on Friday where Santo Chevalier scored a runaway success in the 12-furlong handicap. Owned by Frank Lynch and Maria Lynch, the strong 6/4 favourite could have been called the winner early in the straight and once jockey Jack Kearney sent him about his business, he picked up well to record a six-length win over the John McConnell-trained Magi Gal.

Quin, Co Clare trainer Donie Hassett scored a narrow success as Sunnyvilla won the two-mile five-furlong handicap chase at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

A winning 3/1 favourite at Clonmel 15 months ago, the eight-year-old recorded his second victory when holding off the late surge of the Edward O'Grady-trained Priory Park by a head under Sean O'Keeffe. This time, the winner was returned a well-supported 10/1 chance. 

Upcoming Fixtures:

Dundalk – Wednesday, February 15 (First Race 1.20pm)

Clonmel – Thursday, February 16 (First Race 1.40pm)

Dundalk – Friday, February 17 (First Race 4.25pm)

Gowran Park – Saturday, February 18 (First Race 1.42pm)

Punchestown – Sunday, February 19 (First Race 1.10pm)