Nothing springs 25/1 surprise

Despite unshipping Shane Foley at the start, Nothing To Lose came home in front in the second divide of the Family Fun Day Fairyouse July 23rd Handicap.

The John McConnell trained bay showed little on three previous maiden efforts, and was sent off a 25/1 chance today on his handicap debut.

Settled towards rear, he was pushed along with over two furlongs to race, and came with a wet sail down the outer from over a furlong out, going on to score comfortable by a length and a quarter. Buddha Boy was sent off the 5/2 favourite, but couldn't match the winner inside the final furlong, and had to settle for second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons. Lavinuela (33/1) ran well to take third, a further two and three parts of a length back under Killian Leonard for Ross O'Sullivan, while Milish (12/1) completed the placings a neck away in fourth under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan.

Shane Foley said afterwards: "That was a bit of a surprise. John thought he would run okay but was not sure if he would handle the ground being by Fast Company.

"He's come forward from his few runs. He was never on the bridle but finished well."

STEWARDS REPORTS

C. O'Donoghue, rider of Shawami trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was caught in a pocket and unable to deliver a challenge in the earlier part of the straight and was tight for room when an opening appeared entering the final furlong but the race was gone from him at that point.

W.M. Lordan, rider of Barrys Girl trained by Daniel William O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not get a clear run in the straight.

The Stewards fined John C. McConnell, trainer, E130 for failing to notify the Registry Office that his charge Nothing To Lose, placed first, had been gelded.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee