Hayes delighted to win on Flamingo's Court for McNamara

Flamingo's Court travelled all over her rivals in the Ballyagran Handicap Chase over an extended two miles three in Limerick.

She moved powerfully under Brian Hayes turning for home and came through to lead approaching the second last.

The eight-year-old mare opened up a gap on her rivals coming to the last and stayed on well to post a victory by six and a half lengths for Andrew McNamara.

From as big as 25/1 this morning, she was backed down to 10/1 on the off. Shopping Around finished second at 11/2 and was a length in front of Broder at the same price.

Hayes said: “She was unlucky in Tramore on Sunday where she slipped turning in and it ended up that she didn’t get a hard race. I thought she was going well that day.

“She’s a brilliant jumper and won easy enough in the finish. The blinkers seemed to keep her alive and she’s scanned in foal so that may have sweetened her up as well. She wants good ground.

“It’s great to ride a winner for Andy Mc. He’s a man I looked up to when I was starting off.”

The Stewards enquired into the start of this race where it appeared that Fenlon's Hill ridden by A. W. Short, whipped around and did not participate in this race. Evidence was heard from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Starter, Mr. P. L. Malone and A. W. Short, rider. Mr. P. L. Malone stated that he saw Fenlon's Hill whipping around but felt this had happened after he had effected a fair start. A. W. Short stated that his mount whipped around without warning, just before the starter had dropped his flag. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that although marginal, the incident had occurred before the starter had dropped his flag and they therefore declared Fenlon's Hill a non runner under the provisions of Rule 209(v), and referred the matter to the C.E.O of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for consideration.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee