Shanning maintains unbeaten record

Shanning maintained her unbeaten record as she took the Galway City & Salthill Publicans Rated Novice Hurdle.

Successful on her sole start in her native France, the daughter of Spanish Moon made it two from two on her debut for Willie Mullins and the Supreme Horse Racing Club at Sligo in August.

As short as 15/8 this morning, she ultimately proved easy to back, touching 10/3 on-course, before going off a 3/1 chance under Ruby Walsh.

Settled in mid-division she was fifth with a circuit to race. She travelled best from two out and soon improved to lead, keeping on well on the run-in to score by three lengths.

The Joseph O'Brien trained Mischievous Max (4/1) finished second under JJ Slevin, while O'Brien also saddled the third horse home, and that was Hardback (16/1), who was another four lengths back under Barry Browne. Dundrum Lad was sent off the well-backed 15/8 favourite (from 7s last night and from 9/4 on-course), and he finished fourth.

The winning rider said afterwards: "I probably panicked a bit in the dip and got there a bit sooner than I wanted on soft ground at Galway.

"That was my mistake but thankfully she had enough under the bonnet to keep going and get home and I'd say carrying 11 stone 1 pound, rather than more, was a huge help to her.

"The more races we can find where we can keep her in under 11 stone would be a big addition to her.

"She travelled well and jumped super today but wouldn't want the ground much heavier than that."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed B.J. Foley, rider of All's Quiet concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that B.J. Foley was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip above shoulder height and having taken his recent record into consideration, they suspended him for 4 racedays and referred him to R.A.C.E for one days tuition on the correct use of the whip.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes