Red-letter day for Staples on Royal Time

Royal Time (12/1) held on by a neck to give Eoin Staples his first racecourse winner in the qualified riders' handicap hurdle at Naas.

The pair led narrowly on the run to the last, which they flattened, but it didn't stall their momentum.

They worked in unison up the hill and looked to have the race won in the final 100 yards. The five-year-old gelding idled close home, though, as Added Bonus finished well, but there was a neck between them at the winning post.

Runner-up Added Bonus was a 33/1 shot and he was half a length in front of Backfromtheraces (13/2). Each-way players also drew a dividend from fourth-placed Bishbashbosh (7/1).

Shane Crawley said: “I'm delighted with that.

“I don't really follow the point-to-points, but I was asking Karl Thornton who is a good young lad and he said that this lad could ride. He was right.

“It was a very cool ride. It's his first winner on the track but he has seven winners this season pointing.

“The horse jumped very well, he just made a mess of the last but stayed on well.”

When asked what the plan was now, he added: “We're glad to get today out of the way anyway.

“We always thought this lad was okay, but his last run was very bad. We got him scoped and stuff, but everything was fine.

“Maybe it's just been time. It's brilliant for owner Eamonn Kane, who is a decent man. I'm delighted.”

Staples has 13 career winners 'between the flags'.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr C.J. Shine, rider of Added Bonus, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Mr C.J. Shine was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for three racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson