Port Rashid pops up again for Townends

Port Rashid landed the ladies' handicap hurdle in Thurles for the second time under Jody Townend.

The jockey gave the 14/1 shot a well-judged ride as she produced him in second at the final flight. Dylan Lombardy led over it, but 12-year-old Port Rashid had his measure in the final 150 yards and kept on best to see him off by half a length.

The runner-up was gambled on from 20/1 to 10/1. Future Proof (50/1) and well-punted favourite Theonewedreamof (5/6) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

"He is after coming back from a load of problems and I was afraid that he might bounce after the last day," trainer Tim Townend said.

"The handicapper had given him a chance and it was a last hurrah job with him. He has won here in the past and hopefully now he returns sound.

"Jody rode her first winner on him and also rode her first winner over fences on him so he is a bit of a pet. If he is sound and the handicapper isn't too hard on him, there could be another one for him down the line."

Port Rashid won this race in 2020 under Jody Townend for her father Tim.

There were sanctions handed out by the stewards in relation to sixth-placed Alphonse Le Grande

The stewards' notes are below:

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Alphonse Le Grande, ridden by Ms S. Whittle, and trained by A.J.Martin. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer's Authorised representative concerned. In her evidence, Ms S. Whittle, stated that she was instructed to drop her mount in the last quarter of the field of runners, get him jumping and into a nice rhythm as this was his first handicap hurdle. She explained that she had jumped off too far back in the field of runners having missed the break. She added that she allowed her mount to settle at rear in a strong gallop and moved out to get a position across the top of the track. On further questioning, she accepted that she had sat motionless both before the turn into the straight and at the early part of the straight before making some effort. Ms Cathy O'Leary, Authorised representative for A.J.Martin, stated that the rider was told to be three quarters of the way back in the field of runners and not in last place as seen. She added that their charge was inclined to stop when going into a hurdle and there was a requirement to take him handy and get him jumping. She informed the Raceday Stewards that she was very disappointed with the ride as the rider did not ride to instructions and was not hard on the horse allowing him to come home as best he could. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Alphonse Le Grande was post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the trainers explanation as given through his Authorised representative. They were, however, of the opinion that Ms S. Whittle was in breach of Rule 212A (ii) by riding her horse in such a way that her horse could not be seen to have been the subject of a genuine attempt to obtain from her mount timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible placing. Having taken her previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended Ms S. Whittle for 15 racedays. Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards suspended Alphonse Le Grande for 42 days as a consequence of the riders actions under the provisions of Rule 212C (d).

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes