Joey rewarded for consistency

Not too many point-to-point, hurdle and chase winners, also score on the polytrack at Dundalk, but that's exactly what Viaduct Joey achieved when he gained due reward for his consistency in the opening Best Catering @ Champions Restaurant.

Connor King 's mount may have edged in towards the rail, impeding Well Tuned in the final furlong, but in the end there was no denying his superiority as he accounted for Dashing Lady and the former, by a length and a half and half a length. That pair both represent trainer John Nicholson.

Meanwhile Terence O'Brien owns and trains the victorious 2/1 favourite, and it's a four hour journey door-to-door for the County Cork handler. That's helped by getting on the motorway, which takes him all the way to the County Louth venue, within five miles of his Carrigtwohill base.

O'Brien stated: "It's great to get a win eventually and he deserved it. He didn't get the run of the race a few times. He's a bit quirky too at this stage.

"He's been a great fun horse for us and he'll probably keep going for the summer-National Hunt and Flat."

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Viaduct Joey, ridden by C.R. King, winner and Well Tuned, ridden by L.F. Roche, placed third, where it appeared Well Tuned suffered interference.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that C.R. King was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.

The Stewards interviewed C.D. Maxwell, rider of Esharaat unplaced, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that C.D. Maxwell was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (b) (e) and (f) in that he used his whip with excessive force and frequency, on occasion other than down the shoulder or on the hind quarters and when his chance of winning or being placed had clearly gone, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 4 racedays.

S. Foley, rider of Catimini trained by Sean Byrne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right.

(AM & EM)