Metersandmasks just prevails under patient Enright ride

Metersandmasks came from last to first in the McHale Mayo Handicap Hurdle, just prevailing under a patient Phillip Enright ride.

A winner at Cork on her penultimate start, the Charles Byrnes trained six-year-old since finished second to Happy Jacky at Killarney.

Upped in trip to three miles and a furlong for the first time this evening, the daughter of Shirocco was sent off at 11/2 in the colours of John & Pauline Twiss.

In rear, she made steady progress on the final circuit and was pushed along to go second from two out.

Ridden in pursuit of the leader from the final flight, she gradually reduced the deficit, getting up in the final strides to prevail by a head. Hewick who was sent off the 9/4 favourite, was the one just denied, with Rob James aboard this John 'Shark' Hanlon gelding.

The Dermot McLoughlin trained Digby (11/2 to 9/2) was another two lengths back in third.

"In Killarney she got outpaced between the second-last and the last and galloped all the way to the line," Enright said.

"So I knew from the home bend here that the leader would have to keep going strong, and he had top-weight whereas we were getting a few pounds. In the last couple of strides, thankfully the weight told.

"It's only fifteen days since Killarney and Charles had her in tip-top shape again today."

"The owner John Twiss is a Kerryman, like myself, and we enjoy taking money out of Mayo!

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Enniskerry trained by Barry Connell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race and to have a wound on his left hind coronet band.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Must Be Obeyed trained by Thomas Gibney, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

P. Townend, rider of Dads Lad trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran free during this race.

The Stewards interviewed P.T. Enright, rider of Metersandmasks, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, P.T. Enright admitted that he had exceeded the permissible limit for the use of the whip and apologised for his actions. He added that his mount had idled on the long run in from the final hurdle. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that P.T. Enright was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his recent clean record into consideration, the Stewards cautioned P.T. Enright on this occasion.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan