Mehman in the clear in the centre wins under Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
There were contrasting fortunes for the joint favourites in the Danny Trundle Heating & Plumbing Handicap at Naas with the Ger O'Leary-trained and Shane Foley-trained Mehman (7/2) coming out on top.
The winner was able to deliver his winning run without impediment towards the centre of the track at the business end.
However Keke (7/2) had to wait to get to his run on the stand's rail, and powered home when in the clear for third.
At the line Mehman had three parts of a length and a head to spare over Reinforce and the aforementioned Keke.
“Shane did well to get through plenty of traffic and he said that’s his ground," said O'Leary.
“We’ll probably go back to the Curragh and find a nice sprint for him.
“He won three before in Dundalk but never got it together on the turf for some reason. He can be a bit volatile and on his first couple of runs of the year he can be a bit fresh. He was very calm and chilled today.”
N.M. Crosse, rider of Shoebox King trained by Kevin Thomas Coleman, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount had no luck in running and got tight for room early on.
M.W Hassett, rider of Below Deck trained by Luke Comer, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount received pressure after half a furlong from the outside.
J.J.G. Ryan, rider of Inishmot Prince trained by T.G.McCourt, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount recieved pressure from two furlongs down.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident before the mid point of this race involving Inishmot Prince, ridden by J.J.G. Ryan, Bold Optimist ridden by O. McSweeney, Keke (GB), ridden by W.J. Lee, Senado Square (GB), ridden by C. Horgan, Shoebox King, ridden by N.M. Crosse, and Below Deck, ridden by M.W Hassett, where it appeared that Shoebox King struck the running rail after running short of room.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
J.J.G. Ryan stated that he was slowly into stride and was in a gap before it got tight for room and clipped a heel.
O. McSweeney stated that he tried to bring his mount over and felt he had not contributed to the incident.
W.J. Lee stated that he kept straight all the way and he had to come off heels.
C. Horgan stated that he was slowly into stride and got tight for room.
M.W. Hassett stated that he received a bump and had no where to go.
N.M. Crosse stated that his mount got tight for room and clipped the railing. He concluded by stating that the incident was a result of the lay out of the track.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that O. McSweeney was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record (second offence), they suspended him for four racedays.
In arriving at their decision, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that the layout of the track had not contributed to the incident as it occurred some time after all horses had past the point where the track narrowed.
(AM & EM)
