Rattler scores in first time cheekpieces

The Philip Rothwell trained Another Rattler got off the mark on the sixteenth time of asking, as he took the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle in first time cheekpieces.

This seven-year-old son of Mountain High was a close-up third in another Martinstown race at Gowran in January, but he has been disappointing since.

He was fourth in a maiden hurdle at Sligo on his last start, and back in handicap company today he was sent off an 8/1 chance in the colours of race sponsor JP McManus.

Having raced mainly in fifth under Brien Kane, he took closer order from the third last, and improved into second before the next.

He was ridden to the front before the final flight, and kept on well on the run-in, going on to score by two and three parts of a length. Pashtunwali (in first time blinkers) had to settle for second under Barry Browne for Eoin Griffin at 16/1, while the 7/2 favourite Fiddlers Bow was another five lengths back in third with Katie O'Farrell in the saddle for Jimmy Mangan.

Rothwell said afterwards: "I gave Brien free rein to ride him whatever way he liked and he is a very very good rider.

"He loves deep ground and will run next wherever there is muck."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer, concerning his intention to run "Drive The Bus" at today's meeting on "heavy" ground having been withdrawn from yesterday's meeting with the excuse "change in going" under the ground description "soft, soft to heavy in places".

Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer, stated that he declared his charge last Friday on "yielding to soft" ground in a good quality hurdle race where the gelding was due to compete when over 40lbs wrong in the weights because of the conditions of the race.

He added that the owners were not satisfied that their animal was declared to run yesterday and wanted the horse to run today as they were in attendance at the race meeting.

He accepted that his charge had shown good form on preferred underfoot conditions ranging between yielding and soft with victories under both descriptions of ground. He felt that his charge had handled heavy ground recently at Sligo when running well to be beaten about eight lengths but suggested that on a personal choice that he would not have run the animal on today's heavy ground.

Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards were not satisfied with the explanation offered and using their powers under Rule 19 ordered the withdrawal of "Drive The Bus" from today's engagement and took no further action.

The Stewards fined P.J. Rothwell, E350 for failing to lodge a passport in respect of winning horse Another Rattler, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90(vi). Written assurance was given by or on behalf of the Trainer that the Passport would be forwarded to Horse Racing Ireland within the next 3 working days for verification with the markings and microchip number taken by the Turf Club Veterinary Officer.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes