Guiding bounces back to form

The Shane Nolan trained Guiding bounced back to her best as she took the second divide of the irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.

Successful at Fairyhouse in May, the Neil Cox owned daughter of Most Improved had been disappointing of late, finishing down the field on her most recent starts at Bellewstown and Gowran respectively.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time this evening, the bay three-year-old was sent off at 25/1 under Gary Halpin.

Settled towards rear on the outer, she was ridden and took closer order from early in the straight, getting to the front from the furlong pole before keeping on well to score by a length and three parts. Hidden Spark (16/1) finished second under Ross Coakley for Dot Love, while Waitaki (16/1) was a neck away in third. Drombeg Duke who was sent off the well-backed even money favourite (from 13/8), could only manage a disappointing sixth under Mikey Sheehy.

"We were struggling to get in. We were entering everywhere and we got in last week over six so just ran because we couldn't get in anywhere else,” said Nolan.

"We had entered in England but she would have had to run against FootstepsAt Dawn (won at Wolverhampton on October 24th) so we decided to leave her at home. Thankfully we got in tonight.

"She's fairly consistent hopefully there might be another day in her. We may have to claim off her now after this."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards received a report from Mr. Liam Walsh, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Vanessa Maye, rider of Courtney Crimson had presented herself to weigh out at 2 lbs overweight, which was not declared. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that this was the case. Having considered the evidence and consulted with the trainer the stewards allowed the overweight on this occasion. Furthermore, the Stewards were satisfied that Vanessa Maye was in breach of Rule 195(i) and Rule 198 (vii). Having considered Vanessa Maye's record in this regard the stewards fined Vanessa Maye E150 on this occasion.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Aisteoir trained by J. S. Bolger, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

The Stewards informed David Geraghty, trainer, that Sally Gap would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson