35/1 double for Orr as Rachael wins again

After winning the previous contest on Path Of Silver Oisin Orr quickly doubled-up aboard Our Rachael in the West Coast Cooler Original Apprentice Handicap.

Having recorded her first success at the Curragh last month, the Tony Martin trained five-year-old was expected to follow-up today as she went off the 3/1 favourite.

Settled in mid-division, the winning daughter of Haatef was ridden from three furlongs out. She came with her challenge a furlong and a half from home, edging to the front inside the final furlong, staying on best to score by half a length.

The Gavin Cromwell trained Isabella Vite (8s to 7s on-course) filled the runner-up spot under Killian Leonard, while High Kicker (5s to 7/2 on-course) was another length and a half back in third.

Martin said afterwards: "She's tough, she's very tough. She's better on better ground, she's a good-actioned filly. It's loose, lucky enough we got through it. It's not winter ground so fortunately enough it went well.

"Oisin is a very good rider. He's great value for 5lbs although he didn't claim it today. A great chap and he is a big-race jockey of the future."

The winner is owned by Donal Houlihan who is from Maynooth in Co Kildare.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed Gavin Cromwell, trainer, concerning the failure to nominate a rider before the designated time for Isabella Vite. Evidence was heard from the trainer who stated that he had secured the services of Donagh O'Connor in anticipation of the weights rising by 4lbs but this did not happen and that rider would have been subjected to carrying some overweight which his Master, J.F. Levins did not agree with. As this was an Apprentice race there were little options to secure a rider to do 8st 6lbs and the owners requested for an experienced rider to ride their animal. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered and allowed the request for K.J. Leonard to ride his charge.

The Stewards enquired as to whether Conron trained by Michael Halford, was a suitable ride for an inexperienced rider, Scott McCullagh, having observed that the animal became fractious at different times before the start of this race and then lost considerable ground after the stalls opened. Michael Halford stated that his charge was a very quiet ride at home and had not previously given any difficulty when racing. He felt that the animal acted completely out of character. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham