Ambrose McCurtin (dark colours, near-side) got Anna Holty home from Final Boru© Photo Healy Racing
The Harry Kelly-trained Anna Holty was one of the earliest market-movers for today's meeting at Clonmel, and she prevailed in division two of the Sliabh Na mBan Handicap Hurdle under Ambrose McCurtin.
A nicely-bred daughter of Beneficial out of the 'point' and three time track winning Bambootcha, Anna Holty proved easier to back on track going off at odds of 11/1.
Money came for others, including 'the springer,' The Boss On Thehill (pulled up), but Anna Holty knuckled down well on the run-in (they came close together) to beat Final Boru by a neck.
Anna Holty came out of a race that's worked out well from Kilbeggan on April 22nd.
Winner Flaviana has won since, 2nd that day, Dixie Highway triumphed on this card tonight, 4th home Most Honourable has scored subsequently, and Anna Holty 9th on that occasion, landed the spoils here.
"She has always shown us a bit more at home than she shows us on the track but Ambrose rode her the last time and said to drop her in and we did," disclosed Kelly.
"Sean Flanagan normally rides her but we decided to claim from her and Ambrose is good value for his 5lbs.
"She'll go for something similar next."
The Stewards enquired into possible interference between the penultimate flight and the winning post involving Anna Holty, ridden by A. McCurtin, placed first and Final Boru, ridden by D. Robinson, placed second, where it appeared that both horses had come off a line and made contact. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings'. They did, however, caution both A. McCurtin and D. Robinson to ride with more care.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Theboss On Thehill trained by Michael Winters, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal.
M.A. Enright, rider of Theboss On Thehill, trained by Michael Winters, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount missed the third last hurdle and hung badly afterwards.
(TW & EM)
