Tony Martin runner just back from 60-day non-trier ban wins as well-backed odds-on favourite

Tony Martin: trainer has had two months added to his suspension

Tony Martin: among the winners at DownpatrickCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

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Tony Martin saddled a double with Eben Zaabeel returning from suspension with a bang to justify 10-11 favouritism in the opening maiden hurdle under Daniel King, while the Kevin Sexton-ridden Bruant also rewarded market support in the 2m6f handicap hurdle.

The riding of Eben Zaabeel in a 1m4½f handicap on the Flat at Limerick in June landed jockey Seamie Heffernan and Martin in hot water, with raceday stewards finding them guilty under the 'non-trier' rule.

The trainer was fined €3,000, Heffernan received a 14-day suspension, and Eben Zaabeel was banned for 60 days after finishing third of the eight runners, beaten a length and a quarter.

Tony Martin fined €3,000, Seamie Heffernan suspended for 14 days and horse unable to run for 60 days after non-trier ruling at Limerick

His return to action resulted in a victory on his second start over hurdles, the five-year-old, who touched 5-4 but returned at odds-on, scoring by a cosy length and three-quarters under Galway Plate and Hurdle-winning jockey King.

Martin told Racing TV: "He’s a lovely horse. Jamie Spencer recommended him to us in Newmarket a couple of years back.

"Unfortunately, things went wrong with him. He just had a lot of interruptions, but lucky enough he came right. Ed Ware [owner] is a great, patient man, he stuck with us and it’s worked out well today."

The trainer added: “He’s a big horse and he was just immature. He’s come of age and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”

Bruant completed the double after being sent off 3-1 favourite. The five-year-old travelled well in the rear under Sexton before taking the lead a furlong from home and defeating Kashchei by a length and a half.

The rider also ended the day with a couple of winners, going on to partner the Ian Donoghue-trained Beggars Rock to victory in the 2m2f handicap chase.

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