G2 success for Turtle Island chaser

4th February 2008

The Eoin Griffin-trained Don’t Be Bitin (7g Turtle Island-Shonara’s Way by Slip Anchor) became Turtle Island’s latest big-race winner at Punchestown on Sunday when landing the G2 Byrne Group plc Tied Cottage Chase by four and a half lengths from Tumbling Dice.

The seven-year-old, who was bred by the Swift Syndicate, was gaining his third success over fences and could now head to Aintree for the Grand National meeting in April.

"He's deserved a pot like that," said Griffin. "He's been ultra-consistent for me and is a bit of a favourite in the yard. Before this the plan was to run him in a two-mile handicap chase on the Thursday at Aintree but we will have to see what the handicapper does with him. He won't go to Cheltenham, though, as there's nothing there for him."

It was a second G2 success in a week for Turtle Island following hot on the heels of a victory for Liskennett (5m Turtle Island-Generosa, by Generous) in the G2 Toshiba Novices’ Hurdle at Leopardstown the previous weekend.