IN the eye of a storm following happenings at Wexford recently, father and son team Charles and Philip Byrnes struck with the highest-profile horse at Listowel’s seasonal opener as Sonnyboyliston delivered on his debut over jumps.

Scrutiny on his much discussed unseat from Redwood Queen a few days earlier, certainly didn’t seem to knock Philip Byrnes’ confidence in the plate - and there definitely would have been pressure, after Sonnyboyliston found strong favour in the market from 6/4, into equivalent odds-on, for the Join The Listowel Races Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle.