Monroe and Muzak prove the toast of Ballybrit punters

THE West of Ireland’s most colourful trainer John Monroe was the toast of punters on the final day of the Galway September meeting at Ballybrit on Wednesday thanks to the exploits of the city stable’s consistent flagbearer, Muzak,

The popular grey, backed from sevens into 5/1, raised the roof at his home course when achieving the biggest success of his career by comfortably taking the featured €26,000 Guinness Handicap Chase under Robbie Dunne for delighted connections.

City publican Monroe, who not just owns and trains the ten-year-old but also bred Muzak, was unrestrained in his joy and engaged with racegoers in the winners’ enclosure in scenes reminiscent of Monaghan trainer Oliver Brady when he returns triumphant to the parade ring.

“The horse seems to be getting better with age and he is in great form at present. The good ground was perfect for Muzak and though I was worried when he came wide around the final bend, he stayed all the way up the hill and had some good ones behind him today,” said Monroe.

Winning for the sixth time and following up a recent handicap chase victory in Ballinrobe, Muzak always kept the front-running and last year’s winner Fosters Cross in his sights over the 2m 1f trip before seizing the initiative at the two fences in the dip.

Muzak and Dunne did cross the track around the home turn and briefly looked as though they might be overhauled by Boxer Beat, but with the stand rail to guide them, Monroe’s stable star was readily back in control by the line, with favourite Cause Of Causes a never dangerous third.

Wednesday’s card was also notable for Bryan Cooper riding his first winner since returning from a long spell on the sidelines due to a broken leg – the Kerry jockey steering 13/8 favourite Captain Arceus to a convincing victory in the City Publicans Charity Hurdle.

Donatis Comet, representing the Co. Meath yard of Patrick Martin, was the market leader in the opening Mervue Maiden Hurdle, but could never quite get on terms with 6/1 chance Run Firth which is owned and trained by former Kilkenny hurler, Kieran Purcell.

Carnmore’s Fergus Hanley, who had enjoyed a productive spell with trailblazer, The Black Russian, came close to a third win this autumn with the seven-year-old in the Galway City Publicans Handicap Hurdle, but Davy Russell’s mount was unable to fend off the persistent challenge of Bridgewater Girl. The Black Russian had finished down the field in a stronger novice event 24 hours earlier.

The front-running Rockshandy was an all-the-way winner in the Eventus Beginners Chase, while Your Busy employed similarly successful tactics in holding off Schelm to land the Ryans Cleaning Chase. The concluding bumper was settled in decisive fashion by odds on favourite Time For a Pint once Nina Carberry popped the question on the entrance to the straight.