On his 90th start Plough Boy returned to the number one spot for the 15th time in the Sobac Soil.ie Handicap at Fairyhouse.

After a nice return to action at Navan last week, Plough Boy (10/1 — 12/1 — 9/1) didn’t go un-supported despite a wide draw out in stall fourteen. Baby Power looked like she might mow down Garvan Donnelly’s stalwart in the final furlong, but the Shane Crosse-ridden winner found enough to gain the day by a neck.

After a steward’s enquiry not involving the winner the judge’s placings remained unaltered.

“I fancied him tonight because the ground was to his liking, as along as the rain didn't get into it too much,” said Donnelly.

“He's a horse of a lifetime really, he's won a lot of races. That's his 15th win now.

“He's in again at Navan next Tuesday so he can run in that now. He takes nothing to get fit and he's the soundest horse I've ever had, touch wood. He's a dream.

“His owner is our next door neighbour and he's a great owner.

“He's not even in that long. We gave him a bit of a break after the all-weather, he was a bit sick of it. The grass lit him up a bit and got him going again. He's in great nick.”

The Stewards enquired into possible interference about 100 yards from the finish involving Baby Power, ridden by G.M. Ryan, placed second and Pretty Smart ridden by C.P. Hoban, placed third, where it appeared that Baby Power moved to the right and took the ground of Pretty Smart. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings'. They did, however, consider that the interference was caused by G.M. Ryan riding carelessly and consequently cautioned him on this occasion having taken his previous record into consideration.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Guiding Star (GB) trained by Patrick J. McKenna, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped awkwardly from the starting stalls.

The Stewards interviewed S.M. Crosse, rider of Plough Boy, concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards were satisfied that S.M. Crosse was in breach of Rule 211 and consequently cautioned him on this occasion having taken his previous record into consideration.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined It's All A Joke trained by Adrian McGuinness, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Anthony McCann, trainer of Iseebreeze reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge was showing signs of coming into season post race.

(GC & EM)