Hilltop Supreme after tough battle

Hilltop Supreme came out best in a thrilling three-way battle for honours in the Kilmolash Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

You couldn't have called the nine-year-old gelding an obvious winner off the home bend as he was pushed along in fifth by Kevin Brouder.

He kept finding, though, and Brouder switched him to the inner in third jumping two out.

He delivered his challenge at the final hurdle to Crack On Corrie who was flanked on both sides as Added Bonus was right on terms on the outer.

Added Bonus was a fractional leader touching down from Crack On Corrie but Hilltop Supreme battled bravely on the inside to get up in the closing stages.

He got the verdict by a neck at 7/2. Added Bonus finished second at 17/2 and was the same margin in front of Crack On Corrie (12/1).

Trainer Davy Fitzgerald was leading up the winner and said: "He'll go to Cork in a fortnight's time for a handicap hurdle and the owner's daughter Rochelle Murphy will ride."

This was Hilltop Supreme's third win from his last four races, all under Brouder. He was brought down at Down Royal in February.

The Stewards interviewed A. McCurtin, rider of Added Bonus, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the regulation and said that he had continued to use his whip to try and hold his position. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that A. McCurtin was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency. Having considered A. McCurtin's record in this regard the Stewards suspended A. McCurtin for three race days. Mr. P. Dowling absented himself from this enquiry.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Hilltop Supreme, ridden by K.J. Brouder, placed first, Added Bonus, ridden by A. McCurtin, placed second and Crack On Corrie, ridden by S.D. Torrens, placed third, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. K. J. Brouder stated that he had switched sides and come with a winning run and felt he had maintained a true line. A. McCurtin stated that it had gotten a little tight but he did not have to stop riding and it had not cost him anything. S. D. Torrens stated that he felt the three horses had drifted slightly together. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judge's placings and took no further action. Mr. P. Dowling absented himself from this enquiry.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes