Meadow a fruitful one for her backers

The subject of a big market move when third at Galway in the summer, Meadow Cross delivered when again gambled-on, delivering in style under Conor McGovern in the Follow Dundalk On Facebook Handicap.

Supported from 11/1 into 9/2 on track, and from bigger earlier, the Cape Cross filly took the mile and a half event in style, registering a four and a half length win despite McGovern putting up a pound 'over' at eight eleven.

"Seamie Heffernan is the man to thank as he told me she handled the surface and to go back up in trip. I didn't expect that she would win as easy as that," reflected successful handler Denis Hogan.

"She's a lovely big mare with a nice pedigree, and will go back jumping on better ground."

Meadow Cross is owned by Galway syndicate, the Is That All-grouping, and she was bred by one of their number.

The Stewards interviewed Ellen Hennessy, rider, in relation to her request to carry 2lb overweight on Crafty Codger in this race, which hadn't been declared. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that she failed to declare a possible 2lb overweight as the horse was a reserve and she didn't think it would get a run.

Evidence was also heard from Des Cummins, authorised representative of Kevin Prendergast, trainer.

Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion Ellen Hennessy was in breach of Rule 198 in that she sought to weigh out at 2lb overweight that hadn't been declared, and having taken her record into account, they fined her €150.

Furthermore, the Stewards gave permission for Ellen Hennessy to carry 2lb overweight.

The Stewards requested a report from Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Meadow Cross, winner, as compared with its recent form.

The trainer reported that his filly ran very poorly here over this 1m4f trip on 15th December. As a result, he decided to not declare cheekpieces next time she ran over an extended 1m2f here on 8th January. She was drawn badly on this occasion and was slow away and her rider recommended that the cheekpieces be reapplied in future and step her back up in trip to 1m4f, and to ride her handily.

A return to a more suitable trip today, coupled with the reapplication of cheekpieces and being ridden handily, may have brought about any apparent improvement in form, he reported.

Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.

(AM & EM)