Jockey change works out for Mangan

Jane Mangan gave Rockdown a strong drive to grab victory close home in the concluding point-to-point bumper at Gowran Park.

The well-backed Sumos Novios (5/1 morning into 11/4) led them turning for home in the 2m2f event having taken the lead with half a mile to run.

5/4 favourite Indevan and Rockdown were both pushed along in behind but the pair stayed on to dispute the lead with over a furlong to run.

The Willie Mullins-trained Indevan looked to be edging the verdict inside the final furlong but Mangan got more from her mount in the dying strides to stick his head out for a head victory.

The 5/1 winner had taken a point-to-point at Killaloe just under two weeks ago and had actually finished second to today's opening race winner Marlbrook on his debut.

There was some confusion surrounding the rider with Nina Carberry being called as the winning jockey.

Elliott revealed afterwards that he had originally booked Carberry but was caught out by the recent rule change bringing back the declaration times for riders when he went to change to Jane Mangan.

Owner Michael O'Leary had wanted to claim 7lb off his charge but when Elliott went to change the jockeys at 12.10 on Friday it was too late as the time is now 12.00 having previously been 12.30.

Nina Carberry was in the morning papers as the jockey but the stewards allowed the change today.

“It seems like a good jockey change in the end as the 7lb was a help!” joked Elliott. “Although saying that Nina is probably worth a stone.”

“That was great to win a bumper. He's a big galloping horse and will jump a fence in time. I imagine he'll be kept going in bumpers until the summer.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)