Trainer Claire O'Connell acknowledged in the aftermath that "the blinkers made a big difference," after her Killeen Elegance (8/1) had landed the spoils in the Even More Strictly Handicap Chase under Andrew Lynch at Downpatrick.

Ms O'Connell further revealed: "Andrew suggested that (the addition of blinkers) from the last day. I'm delighted as she's a home bred and a full sister to Kennoway (twice victorious for the yard).

"She's a bit claustrophobic and needs a bit of space. She'll come back here for the next meeting.

"Andrew was born at the back of our farm in Ashbourne and his mother Una used to look after me as a child."

Killeen Elegance, an 8/1 chance, shed her maiden tag at the seventeenth time of asking by proving stronger on the run-in, than Admiral Bob by two and three parts of a length.

The Stewards interviewed M.P. Butler, rider of Admiral Bob, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that M.P. Butler was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency, R10(3)(g) by using his whip with his arm above shoulder height and R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip.

Consequently the Stewards suspended M.P. Butler for 4 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration.

(MG & EM)