Blackmore guides Chelseas Friend home

Chelseas Friend bounced back to form in the first division of the three mile one handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe.

First reserve Tullyhogue Fort put in a good shift at the head of affairs in this staying test but was headed approaching the final quarter of a mile.

It was Chelseas Friend who surged past him, however, Tullyhogue Fort rallied after jumping the last forcing Chelseas Friend to battle ahead of him coming to the final furlong.

A dropped whip proved no hindrance to jockey Rachael Blackmore who cajoled her mount home and the pair went on by four lengths at 9/2 for trainer Jimmy Mangan. Get Phar the 2/1 favourite, ran on for second and was a length in front of Cornhill Lass (8/1).

Stable representative Patrick Murphy said: “We had a couple of runners at Tipperary as well, we had one mare third there — she ran well.

“This one deserved that as she was a good second before pulling up the last day.

“She lost her action a bit then and hopefully she’ll get her day again over a trip.

“That pedigree is with the Mangans for years — Billy, Jimmy’s brother, bred her, and he owns her still so it’s great and they’ll all be delighted.”

The Stewards interviewed M.M. McDonagh, rider of Get Phar, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence M.M. McDonagh admitted that his arm was above shoulder height when using his whip in his left hand but was correctly used when switched to his right hand. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that M.M. McDonagh was in breach of R10(3)(h) by using his whip with his arm above shoulder height. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended M.M. McDonagh for one raceday.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy