Blanc De Noir completes Crosse/Harrington double

Blanc De Noir completed a double for Nathan Crosse and Jessica Harrington, as he powered home to take the Win 50k Weekly With ITV7 For Free Handicap.

Deputising for the injured Shane Foley, missing out on a second winner this evening, Crosse, who earlier scored aboard Scarlett O'Hara settled his mount in mid-division on the nearside rail.

Ridden and switched off the rail over a furlong out, he surged to the front inside the final 50 yards, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good in the colours of Stonestreet Stables LLC.

On what was her debut for Conor O'Dwyer, Lady Arwen (8/1) lead briefly inside the final furlong but ultimately had to settle for second under Jake Coen.

Sent off the 9/2 favourite, Midnight Fire (from 15/2 early), for Eddie and Patrick Harty, was just a neck away in third, while his stable companion Gegenpressing (8/1) was another half-a-length back in fourth.

"He was flat out over five at Cork the last day but hit the line very well and back up to six suited him," Kate Harrington said.

"He's a horse with a lot of ability and now that he’s got his head in front hopefully he’ll keep on improving. He quickened up really well.

"He had a few issues at the backend of last year that we got ironed out over the winter."

Bought for 110,000 pounds as a yearling, Blanc De Noir is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Havana Grey.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Adams Barbour ridden by D. McMonagle, unplaced, Cnodian ridden by Jessica Maye, unplaced, and Blanc De Noir, ridden by N. M. Crosse, placed first, where it appeared Cnodian ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D. McMonagle stated that his race was run and he was going backwards when he received contact from his left. Jessica Maye stated that she was maintaining a straight line but received pressure from her left. N. M. Crosse stated that the horses in front were dropping back and both him and Jessica Maye were going for the same gap. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that N. M. Crosse was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended N. M. Crosse for one raceday. Mr. Noel C. McCarthy attended this enquiry in an observatory capacity.

D. McMonagle, rider of Adams Barbour, trained by Lee Smyth, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that he took a precautionary check one furlong out.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee