King Alex brings up the hat-trick

A sequence that began at Ballinrobe last month continued for King Alex at Fairyhouse today, Barry Connell’s gelding completing a hat-trick in the Irish Racing Industry Fundraiser For Children's Health Foundation Crumlin In Memory Of Pat Smullen Handicap Hurdle.

All the way winner King Alex, with Mark Bolger up, made a mistake two out and he wasn’t great at the last either.

The pursuing Millen To One also made a mess of the last, and seven and a half lengths separated them at the line.

It was three lengths back to Jiving Jerry in third. He found trouble in running.

“That was a bit eventful. He’s a bit spooky and his eye was taken by the loose horse rather than the hurdles,” said Connell.

“Luckily he’s a big horse as he never rose a leg at the second last. He has a good engine and, if he concentrates, hopefully he’ll jump a bit better the next day than he did today.

“We might look at Leopardstown over Christmas for either another handicap hurdle or the opportunity handicap chase. We’ll give him three weeks off and hopefully he’ll recover.

“His future is probably going to be chasing and he’ll probably pay more attention to the fences than he does the hurdles.”

The Stewards enquired into an incident after by passing the third last involving Star Max (GER), ridden by H. Morgan, Millen To One, ridden by A.W. Short, Minx Tiara ridden by D. Meyler and Jiving Jerry, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, where it appeared interference had occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was caused by the presence of a loose horse and therefore took no further action.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined One For Joe trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame post race.

(AM & EM)