McDonagh delight at putting Christmas winner on the board

After his King George heroics over at Kempton John 'Shark' Hanlon had to settle for the runner-up spot in the penultimate event at Limerick, the BRC McMahon Reinforcements Handicap Chase. His Jody McGarvey-partnered Teescomponentsyess found the lightly-weighted Chainofconsequence four and a half lengths too strong.

Local owner/trainer Michael McDonagh shrewdly 'jocked-up' 7Ib claiming amateur Adam Ryan aboard the Ovovango six-year-old and on his first time aboard the blinkered course winner he got a tune from the 13/2 scorer.

Said McDonagh afterwards: "He is a bit of a thief really but we put blinkers on today and I think it helped. He was sweeter and jumped very well. We were bottom weight and Adam (Ryan) claimed 7lb so that was an advantage as well in that ground.

"Winners are hard to get so I'm delighted to have a Christmas winner."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Meehall trained by E. McNamara, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Michael J. McDonagh, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Chainofconsequence, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Michael J. McDonagh stated that the application of blinkers may of helped bring about today's apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.

(TW & EM)