Highly Approved is ridden out by Wayne Lordan to beat Myrcella© Photo Healy Racing
Highly Approved bounced back to her best as she landed the Holden Plant Rentals Handicap for the in-form Adrian McGuinness yard.
Last successful at Bellewstown in July of 2019, the five-year-old had been disappointing of late and was tried in a visor for the first time today.
Sent off a 25/1 chance, the daughter of Approve tracked the leader in second under Wayne Lordan, improving to the front with just under two furlongs to race.
Soon ridden, she kept up the gallop in the closing stages, going on to prevail by a length and a quarter. Myrcella (12/1) filled the runner-up spot under Ben Coen for Pat McEnery, while Swiss Army Officer (16/1) and Kerry Blue (40/1) were third and fourth respectively. Caesar's Comet who was sent off the 3/1 favourite, didn't have much luck in running under Joe Sheridan and he eventually finished fifth.
McGuinness, who of course landed three races at Galway last week, said: "She's hard work and we put a visor on her today. I don't know what happened on her last run but she loves that quick ground and she loves Leopardstown.
"She's slipped down a few pounds and was not winning out of turn. She's hard to tack up and is not easy before racing. She's a typical mare and just gets a bit uptight in the ring.
"Wayne said they went a good even gallop and he was able to dictate a bit and kick off the bend. She stuck at it well.
"We'll find something similar for her in a couple of weeks' time."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards informed David Marnane, trainer that Cracking Name would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
The Stewards enquired into an incident over one furlong from the finish involving Benedict Roezl ridden by M.A. Enright, unplaced, Caesar's Comet, ridden by J.M. Sheridan, placed fifth, Tyrconnell ridden by G.M. Ryan, placed sixth and Intervention (GB), ridden by D. McMonagle, unplaced, where it appeared that Caesar's Comet made a manoeuvre inwards and possibly caused interference to the horses inside him. 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 the incident was caused by J.M. Sheridan riding carelessly when making an inward manoeuvre this being a breach of Rule 214. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended J.M. Sheridan for 5 racedays. Adrian McGuinness accompanied D. McMonagle at this enquiry
R.P. Cleary, rider of Lady Alcazar trained by Thomas Cleary, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount refused to race when the stalls opened.
The Stewards requested a report from Adrian McGuinness, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Highly Approved, placed first, as compared with its two most recent runs. Adrian McGuinness reported that this filly has been a very inconsistent performer in the past. He felt that her run at Leopardstown on the 11th July when ridden by C.T. Keane was not helped by being drawn wide which meant that the filly had to be dropped in behind the runners and when asked to come with one run she failed to do so. He felt that her most recent run at Leopardstown on the 23rd July was most disappointing and no abnormality was found. Today for a change a visor was fitted and the rider was instructed to jump out smart and let her roll along. In his opinion this tactic worked for today but he reiterated that she is very inconsistent. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
