Halka just prevails to complete Elliott double

Halka Du Tabert completed a double for Gordon Elliott in the last at Naas, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race, as she just got the better of nearest market rival Coole Cherry

An impressive winner of a point-to-point at Borris in December when trained by Mary Doyle, the daughter of Balko since changed hands for 260,000 guineas.

Making her debut for Elliott and owner Kenny Alexander today, the bay five-year-old was sent off the clear 1/2 favourite.

Never far off the pace under Jamie Codd, she tracked Coole Cherry into the straight and was soon switched to the inside.

Ridden over a furlong out and soon with the rail to guide her, the winner edged to the front inside the last 150 yards and was kept honest all the way to the line, with just a neck the margin of victory.

The runner-up, who was returned an easy-to-back 10/3 chance, lost little in defeat on debut under Jody Townend for Willie Mullins, while Gaillimh A Run (17/2) ran a fine race another three-and-a-half lengths back in third.

Elliott, who was earlier on the mark with Three Stripe Life said: "She's a nice mare and wants a trip. We like her.

"She has a good attitude and there is a lot of improvement in her.

"She'll go straight over hurdles now and will probably want two and a half miles."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed Miss J. Townend, rider of Coole Cherry, concerning her use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In her evidence, Miss J. Townend stated that her mount responded when challenged but she accepted that she was in breach of the whip guidelines in relation to frequency. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Miss J. Townend was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using her whip with excessive frequency. Having taken her clean previous record into consideration, the Stewards cautioned Miss J. Townend on this occasion.

The Stewards interviewed Mr J.J. Codd, rider of Halka Du Tabert (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Mr J.J. Codd stated that his first hit in the backhand did not connect and the remaining hits were within the whip guidelines for frequency. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr J.J. Codd was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Mr J.J. Codd for three racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee