Swelltime makes all under 'hungry as ever' Heffernan

Swelltime took advantage of his low mark on the level, as he claimed the second divide of the Racing Next At Navan On Saturday September 3rd Handicap.

Rated 115 over flights and successful on his penultimate start at Kilbeggan, the William O'Doherty trained six-year-old was last seen finishing second to Barometer at Tramore.

Sent off a 5/2 chance today, the Born To Sea six-year-old made all under Seamie Heffernan.

Brought across to the wide outside in the straight, the bay victor was pressed and ridden with over two furlongs to race but kept on gamely all the way to the line, coming home three-parts of a length to the good.

.Punters Poet (15/2) ran on well to take second under Declan McDonogh for Matthew Smith, while Rips Dream (14/1) was a neck away in third.

The 9/4 favourite was Britzka and he finished a disappointing sixth.

"I thought that was my best ride of the day. He is a horse that is well handicapped and has developed and matured," Heffernan said.

"It's nice that owners can give them a bit of time to strengthen and mature. When they have a bit of ability they will thrive.

"I'm as hungry as ever for winners so it's nice to still be able to get the leg up on the odd one!"

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed A.C. Persse, rider of Rips Dream, 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. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that A.C. Persse was in breach of R10.3(g) and having considered his record, they suspended him for 1 raceday.

J.A. Heffernan, rider of Swelltime trained by W.J. O'Doherty, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung a little right in the straight.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee