Wonder Holy scores on handicap debut

Wonder Holy got off the mark on his handicap debut as he took the Corcoran's Furniture & Carpets Handicap under Robbie Downey for Johnny Feane.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor was well-beaten on his first two starts but finished a good fifth on his last outing at Fairyhouse when sent off at 100/1.

The bay gelding opened on-course at 10/1 today but drifted out to 12's at the off.

Settled in mid-division he was ninth entering the straight. He was ridden over two furlongs out and was soon switched to the outer to challenge.

He veered left from a furlong out, impeding Timeless Focus in the process (see below), and soon led, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by three parts of a length. Dea Dia (16/1), who was prominent throughout, had to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Sheila Lavery while Plain Taking (8/1) was a short head back in third under Chris Hayes for Andy Oliver. Easy Boy was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he finished a further length back in fourth under Colin Keane for Pat Martin. Tudor City who got in as third reserve, was the subject of an on-course gamble and having opened at 11/1 he went off at just 6's.

The Tony Martin trained gelding never looked like winning and finished a disappointing ninth under Fran Berry.

The winner cost 50,000 guineas as a two-year-old and he is a half-brother to Colour Of Love who won seven times for Willie McCreery.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Wonder Holy, ridden by R.P. Downey, placed first, Plain Talking ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed third and Timeless Focus, ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed fifth, where it appeared that Timeless Focus ran short of room and was checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that R.P. Downey had caused the incident by riding carelessly and consequently they suspended R.P. Downey for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration. John Power, Acting Steward, absented himself from this enquiry.

R.P. Cleary, rider of Athloman Cottage trained by John M.Burke, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran very keenly in the earlier part of this race.