Donn and Secret can't be split in penultimate at Dundalk

Caridade (20/1) finished towards the rear as she attempted to make it four from four on the night for Ado McGuinness in the penultimate event at Dundalk. This second split of the Cash Out Now Available On Horse Racing Multiples At BetVictor Apprentice Handicap eventually saw the spoils shared between Nisior Donn (11/1) and Victorious Secret (4/1 favourite).

The judge couldn't split the Gavin Cromwell-trained Nisior Donn and the Anthony Mulholland-handled Victorious Secret as they came home a length ahead of the third placer Paddytheirishman

Rider of Nisior Donn Donagh O’Connor reported: “I thought that I was up. She walked out of the stalls so my fate was made up fairly early. We went a good gallop and the further we went the better she travelled. She got there too soon in the end but she should improve from that.”

For his part, Killian Leonard, the jockey aboard Victorious Secret, stated: “My horse rallied and she’s really tough. She’s coming back to her old form. She jumped well and I was able to sit fifth the whole way around. I just got racing a bit earlier than I wanted to but she’s tough and keeps galloping.”

The Stewards enquired into an incident before the marker poles involving Paddytheirishman, ridden by A.C. Persse, placed third and Victorious Secret, ridden by K.J. Leonard, placed first (dead heat), where it appeared that Victorious Secret came off a straight line before reaching the marker poles and came across Paddytheirishman.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

During evidence K.J. Leonard stated that his mount hung from the moment that the stalls opened until reaching the end of the back straight.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that K.J. Leonard was in breach of Rule 211 by failing to ride in a straight line until reaching the marker poles, to be in breach of Rule 213 by failing to report at first instance anything that might have affected his mounts performance and to be in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly and causing an incident before the marker poles.

Having taken into consideration his previous record in relation to the named breaches of rule, the Stewards suspended K.J. Leonard for 1 raceday for a breach of Rule 211, 1 raceday for a breach of Rule 213 and 1 raceday for a breach of Rule 214.

The Stewards also cautioned A.C. Persse concerning the accuracy of his evidence.

(AM & EM)