El C Wells wins on 1st start for Paul Mulligan yard

One of the joint market-leaders took division one but there was a surprise in store for Navan punters in split two of the Troytown Bar Handicap as El C Wells popped up at odds of 28/1.

The six-year-old mare, owned by the Dundara Syndicate and trained by Paul Mulligan, dwelt at the start under Robbie Colgan, but they were soon racing in a mid-field sit.

Improvement came a quarter of a mile out and she led inside the final furlong on the way to a neck victory over Gracesolution

"We were expecting a good run - we gave her a bit of work with Wrecking Ball Paul a couple of weeks ago in Dundalk and she worked well with him," said Mulligan.

"I only have her a few weeks, that's a nice mare.

"A few people had problems with her out on gallops, but she's as sweet as a nut at the minute anyway. We brought her over to the beach the other day and let her paddle around the water, and she seemed in great form.

"We have 12 riding out now - seven or eight in fields going point-to-pointing."

The Raceday Stewards granted a request from Eamonn O'Connell, trainer of Say You're Sorry for an additional ten minutes to present his charge for identification to an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Official in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (i).

S. Foley, rider of Gracesolution, trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount rolled slightly right when travelling down the hill.

Adam Caffrey, rider of Xquise (FR), trained by Miss Jennifer Anne Lynch, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got a bump about two furlongs out.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Gracesolution, ridden by S. Foley, placed second, Mephisto ridden by C.T. Keane, placed fourth, Dubai Clover ridden by G.F. Carroll, unplaced, Xquise (FR), ridden by Adam Caffrey, unplaced, and Gudrun Genberg ridden by M.W Hassett, unplaced, where it appeared that Xquise suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Adam Caffrey stated that was not travelling well when he received a bump from his inside. C.T. Keane stated that his mount was wearing head gear and rolled around a little despite his best efforts. G.F. Carroll stated that his mount was at the end of its run. M.W. Hassett stated that his mount received a bump in the closing stages from his left. S. Foley stated that he took his mount off heels when Mephisto rolled to its right, and he shifted out as a result. He was further of the opinion that Gundrun Genberg had rolled left which may have contributed to the incident. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that S. Foley was in breach of Rule 214 (careless riding) and having considered his clean record, they suspended him for two racedays.

(MG & EM)