Joe's class claims yet another Irish Ces title for trainer Buckley

BALLINABOLA JOE showed the benefit of his seasonal - and venue - opener in the heats when justifying favouritism in the €10,000 TIME Irish Cesarewitch final over 600 yards at Mullingar.

Providing trainer Pat Buckley with a record-extending seventh victory in the Classic, he quickly asserted from trap six and had some three lengths in hand entering the back straight.

He extended his advantage over closest pursuer Actindamaggot by the third bend, which he handled far better than when beaten in the heats, which was to prove crucial as Durrow Star was now in full flight and closing.

The leader did come back a little on the long run for home but held on to beat Durrow Star by a length in 33.34sec with Flight Club also running on strongly to finish three lengths further back in third.

The winner is owned by the Murphy Ballinabola Syndicate and joins previous Buckley winners Micks Savings, Paradise Maverik, Droopys Acrobat, Bobsleigh Dream and dual champion Singalong Dolly on the Irish Cesarewitch roll of honor.