Secret Sea surges in under McInerney

Secret Sea was a massive drifter for the second split of the Fexco Asset Finance Handicap Hurdle in Limerick but shrugged off the lack of confidence to score by a couple of lengths.

From 15/2 in the morning, she went off at a whopping 25/1. Coole Arcade having his first run since switching to Henry de Bromhead, was fancied to oblige as he was backed down to 6/4 favourite. He led throughout but the distress signals were apparent once he was passed with three furlongs to go.

Secret Sea travelled well for Donie McInerney in third jumping two out and was still on the bridle as she loomed large at the last.

Narrow-leader Lyla Garrity met it all wrong and crashed out to leave Global Mayhem just in front of Secret Sea. The new leader leader was a sitting duck, though, as Secret Sea soon breezed by to win by a comfortable two lengths for trainer Eoin Doyle. She did edge in and bump her rival in the closing stages but was quickly corrected and won going away.

Global Mayhem certainly didn't go unbacked at 10/1 and was three lengths in front of third-placed Brosna Rocco (9/2).

McInerney said: "We went pretty hard early and I wanted to be just behind the leaders but ended up a bit far back. She jumped and travelled well and when I pulled her out, she took off from underneath me and I slotted in behind the leaders until the last.

"She is tricky enough and was a bit odd at the start, but once you keep her moving and take your legs out of the irons, she is fine."

The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final one hundred and fifty yards involving Secret Sea, ridden by D.J. McInerney, placed first and Global Mayhem, ridden by T.N. Brett, placed second, where it appeared that Secret Sea drifted right and made contact with Global Mayhem. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence T.N. Brett stated that he was upsides the winner when he received a bump which caused his mount to lose ground. D.J. McInerney stated that he was upsides when he changed his hands and his mount veered right into Global Mayhem but went on to win under a hands and heels ride. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that while Secret Sea had caused interference to Global Mayhem, she did not improve her finishing position as a result of this interference so they made no alteration to the Judge's placings.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes