Julio records fifth win of the year

Presenting Julio recorded his fifth win of the year as he justified 7/4 favouritism in the Kelly Foley & Co. In Association With Lloyd Fitzpatrick Handicap Chase.

Successful over fences at Tramore in April, the Gordon Elliott trained nine-year-old since registered wins at Downpatrick, Roscommon and Limerick respectively.

Those latter three success came over flights, and back over fences this evening he was settled in mid-division by Davy Russell.

He improved into a closer fourth three out and was ridden to challenge after the next. He hit the front before the last and kept on well on the run-in, going on to score by three and three parts of a length. Crocodile Dundee finished second at 6/1 under Bryan Cooper for his father Tom, while William Du Berlais (9/4) was half a length back in third for Barry Geraghty and Enda Bolger.

Davy Russell said afterwards: "Gordon has done a marvellous job with him. He jumped fantastic today, and what makes it a bit more special is he's owned by my sponsor Danny Charlesworth (Citipost). He'll be at home in England watching it and will be delighted.

"It's gorgeous ground and it suited us."

On the Tramore incident, Russell added: "The Turf Club referral is on Saturday. It's a difficult thing to explain now and maybe it might be best left until the enquiry.

"To explain all the details is not just as straight forward as the general public think it is. Hopefully they will understand on Saturday what the meaning behind it all is."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr.P.L.Malone, that Mr R.W. Barron, rider of Rockshandy weighed in 2.5lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and having considered his clean record, suspended him for two race days.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee