Time does it Again at Ballinrobe

It's Time Again followed-up on a recent course win, as she took the second divide of the FBD Handicap Hurdle.

Owned and trained in Co Cork by David Barry, the daughter of Shirocco had shown very little in eight starts prior to her easy nine length success on May 3rd, for which she went up nine pounds.

She landed some nice bets on that occasion (50s early, returned 22s) but had a lot more supporters this evening, going off the 7/2 second favourite.

Settled behind the leaders on the outer, she wasn't fluent in third three out but was ridden to challenge in second on the approach to the final flight.

She jumped the last in a narrow lead and kept on well from there, coming home three lengths to the good under champion conditional Jack Foley. Glenmalure Lodge (14/1) was squeezed for room after three out and came home well to take second under James O'Sullivan, while Chapel Street (8/1) and Arrycan (16/5f) were third and fourth respectively.

"I was a little concerned about the easier ground today but she’s tough and Jack said she handled it, even though on better ground she might jump better. He gave her a peach of a ride," Barry said.

"She's just a mare who's thriving at this time of the year and she's a great one to have. I hadn't really looked beyond today and she'll get a handy couple of weeks now before we look for something similar for her."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed D.P. Maxwell, rider of Sphagnum concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, D.P. Maxwell admitted that he had misjudged the amount of times that he had used his whip. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.P. Maxwell was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his clean previous record into consideration, the Stewards cautioned D.P. Maxwell on this occasion.

At the request of the Stewards, S.D. Torrens, rider of No Logic trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount fell on the flat in running when clipping the heel of Eddies Pride which in his view had moved onto his racing line.

Shane Fenelon, rider of Nicola's Fancy trained by John Joseph Hanlon, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was badly hampered by the fall on the flat of No Logic.

The Stewards enquired into an incident on the flat after the third last hurdle involving No Logic, ridden by S.D. Torrens and Eddies Pride, ridden by R.P. Geoghegan, where No Logic fell in running. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, S.D. Torrens stated that he was keeping out off the used ground and about three parts of a length down on Eddies Pride, when that animal rolled in onto his racing line and despite his quick reaction to avoid a heel, he clipped the heels of Eddies Pride causing him to fall in running. R.P. Geoghegan stated that his mount was racing very keen and the race was very congested at that point. He did not believe that he made any deviation of course. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action but did advise R.P. Geoghegan to ride with more awareness.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that No Logic trained by John C. McConnell was noted to be injured post race.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Unlaoised trained by Nigel Thomas Slevin was noted to have blood at both nostrils post race possibly as a result of colliding with the wing of a hurdle when running out.

The Stewards reviewed an incident in the back straight where it appeared Glenmalure Lodge, ridden by J.P. O'Sullivan, ran short of room. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan