Eastern Wind blasts home in Bellewstown

Eastern Wind and James Ryan prevailed after a thrilling finish to the fillies' handicap over an extended seven furlongs in Bellewstown.

A trio of horses held strong claims in the closing stages and it was Eastern Wind who made headway between horses to lead close home by a neck at 11/4. Vassula Ryden was the horse held in second at 5/1.

Tom McCourt said: "She's on a great mark and hopefully she will get a bit of confidence back.

"We stopped trying to make it with her there the last while. If anything wanted to go mad, we would let them on. She was just getting a bit sick of getting taken on up front.

"She was second here yesterday and battled and ran a blinder.

"We'll just tip away with her on the grass. I'm not convinced she won't go on the all-weather. I ran her over six furlongs on the all-weather last year and she ran the year before in a Listed race. Her runs on the all-weather were off a different mark."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Alyse Jane Clarke, rider of The Bog Bank concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Alyse Jane Clarke apologised for her actions and accepted that she was in breach of the whip regulations. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that she was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency), R.10.3(c)(unnessary use) and R.10.3(i)(time to respond) and having considered her record in all regards, they suspended her for 12 racedays.