Romantic success for Lynam & McDonogh

Romantic Proposal got a deserved win to her name as she took the Matchbook Straight Seven Fillies Maiden.

Placed on her first three starts, the Eddie Lynam trained three-year-old was last seen finishing fourth when sent off favourite at Killarney in July.

Backed from 7s into 11/2 on-course, the daughter of Raven's Pass raced in mid-division under Declan McDonogh and was switched to challenge from the two furlong pole.

She was pushed along to lead just inside the final furlong and kept on well in the closing stages, going on to score comfortably by a length and a quarter. Lovee Dovee (16/1) ran well to finish second under Shane Crosse (two pounds overweight) for Joseph O'Brien, while Marmolata (11/1) ran on from rear to take third, another two and a quarter lengths behind.

The well-backed Sheranda (8s this morning and from 9/2 into 7/2 favouritism on-course) could only manage fifth.

"I was concerned that the ground might have gone a bit quick for her but she reveled in it," said Lynam.

"She ran very well here earlier in the year and I didn't think it would take me as long as it did to win a maiden with her.

"It's nice to win with those colours (Clipper Logistics Group) again. He (Steve Parkin) always has a horse with us and we've had a bit of good luck with him with the likes of Agnes Stewart, Midnight Cross and Hot Stone.

"She did it well. We'll see what the handicapper does and try and find a fillies handicap for her.

"My daughter bought her as a foal and Joe (Foley) bought her as a yearling off her, so she's been lucky for me with the foals she's bought."

STEWARDS REPORTS

N.M. Crosse, rider of Royal Canford trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly left for the last two furlongs.

S.M. Crosse, rider of Lovee Dovee (GB), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung badly.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Abanica (GB), ridden by W.M. Lordan, placed fourth and Lovee Dovee (GB), ridden by S.M. Crosse, placed second, where it appeared that Lovee Dovee drifted left causing Abanica to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found S. M. Crosse in breach of rule 214 in that he had ridden careless. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended S.M. Crosse for one race day.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson