Lady just beats Blues in the bumper

Rosshaven Lady just got the better of Thumb Stone Blues in the concluding Jamie Kyne Memorial Flat Race.

The Aidan O'Brien trained five-year-old won on her second start at Limerick in June before running out on her next outing at Killarney when leading.

Sent off an 11/4 chance this evening she was settled in rear by Sarah O'Brien. She improved a position with just under a circuit to race and went fourth with four furlongs to go.

She was pushed along in third as they entered the straight and came with her challenge between horses just under a furlong out, before soon hitting the front.

She swished her tail in the closing stages as she stayed on gamely under pressure to see off Thumb Stone Blues by a neck.

The runner-up was returned the 6/5 favourite under Richie Kiely for Shay Barry while Eyes Of A Tiger was a further seven and a half lengths back in third.

The winning owner Maurice O'Brien is a cousin of Aidan's and the trainer later joked: "When I left school he was the only man who'd give me a job!"

O'Brien then added: "Sarah gave her a good ride and Joseph was happy with her at home. Sarah rode her differently today and dropped her in and in fairness to her she couldn't hold on to her any longer.

"Very few mares win two bumpers and she'll now go for a Listed Mares Bumper and might go jumping after that - she's a big mare."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed Miss S. O'Brien, rider of Rosshaven Lady, concerning her use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

She commenced her evidence by stating that she hit her filly in the incorrect place as a result of getting unbalanced when hitting her mount hard but was unable to show the Stewards on a review of videos where she got unbalanced.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found Miss S. O'Brien in breach of Reg 10. 3. (e) by using her whip other than down the shoulder or on the hind quarters and having taken her record into account suspended her for two race days.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes