Menindee gains compensation after Punchestown mishap

Menindee gained compensation for a mishap on her last start, as she made all to land the Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

Still in front when falling at the last over fences at Punchestown, the David Christie-trained seven-year-old reverted back to the smaller obstacles this afternoon and was sent off an easy-to-back 9/1 chance, from 7/2 in early shows.

Sent straight to the front by Darragh O'Keeffe, the Yeats bay was almost joined by Dinoland from the third last and she needed to be ridden out on the run-in to see off that rival by half-a-length.

The runner-up was returned at 6/1 (from 12s) under Ben Harvey for John McConnell, while Ballyglass Beauty (9/2f) was another length-and-three-quarters back in third.

The hat-trick seeking Iridescent proved easy-to-back and finished eighth at the odds of 6/1 (11/4 early).

"This mare fell the last day at Punchestown when she should have won and I've had a few others fall when they looked like winning, so it's good to get there with this one," Christie said.

"You learn in this game that the wheel goes around and you just have to wait for it to come around your way again!

"Darragh gave her a good ride from the front. She just stays so well and all the way up the hill, even though Ben (Harvey, on Dinoland) was coming at him, he felt he had him covered all the way.

"For a mare that fell the last day, she jumped her hurdles really well and I was delighted about that. For her confidence it was brilliant today but she's a better chaser than she is a hurdler and I'd love to go back over fences with her.

"I've no immediate plans but we'll have a look and see what's there for her."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Mister Twist, trained by Philip Fenton, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed T.P. Harney, rider of Gotthenod, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, T.P. Harney accepted that he had breached the whip guidelines through a miscalculation when using it. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that T.P. Harney was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his clean previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards cautioned T.P. Harney on this occasion.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan