Aranhill sends favourite backers home happy

The Stephen Mahon trained Aranhill Chief sent favourite backers home happy as he took the lady riders bumper under Aine O’Connor at the odds of 9/4.

The 5yo son of Flemensfirth ran a cracker last time out at the Galway Festival to finish just over eight lengths third to the Jim Bolger trained Cul Baire.

The John Hanlon trained newcomer Afatcat attempted to make all under Rachel Blackmore and she kicked on aboard the gelding two furlongs out.

Aranhill Chief on the other hand was ridden over three furlongs out before he improved to challenge and get on terms a furlong and a half from home.

He hit the front over a furlong out and kept on well to score by a length and three parts at the line.

Afatcat had to settle for second at 11/2 (drifted from opening show of 7/2 this morning) while Moyne Nineoseven ran on well to take third a further eleven lengths back at 3/1 under Danielle Quinlan.

Winning trainer Stephen Mahon said afterwards: "He is way better on good ground.

"When we declared him yesterday we were expecting good to yielding ground and but for his run at Clonmel on soft (fifth behind Reafadda) I would have pulled him out.

"He has run in two point-to-points but I’m going to be concentrating more on bumpers with him.

"He is a tricky ride and I told Aine to play him as late as you can. She gave him a lovely ride and to be fair he was off the bridle turning in."

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Moyne Nineoseven, ridden by Miss D Quinlan, and trained by Mr P M Quinlan. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. Miss Quinlan, stated that her instructions were to jump off mid division and do her best. She said that the horse felt dead in the early part of the race and changed his legs a couple of times. As he was so far back early on she felt there was no point giving the horse a hard race as she did not expect to get involved in the latter stages. In addition she said the horse gave a heave and was only passing tired horses in the straight. Mr P M Quinlan, trainer, confirmed the instructions. He felt that the horse would be better on good ground but still expected him to run well today. He was disappointed with the ride that the horse got as he was so far back early on and felt that he may have won with a more positive ride. However he added that the horse has some veterinary problems. The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Moyne Nineoseven had a sore shin post race. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards taking into account the veterinary evidence decided to take no further action but advised Miss Quinlan of her obligations under Rule 212 in future.

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)