Billy Flight and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
It was no surprise to hear Noel Meade say "after the last day me and Eddie (O'Leary) were ready to pull the plug on him," after Billy Flight (12/1 into 8/1) landed the McHale Fusion Vario Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
The Walk In The Park gelding was seen getting reminders from an early stage at Punchestown last time out, before doing some late work when thirteenth in a big field behind Nobody Home.
Here going a little further in distance at three miles one, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Bryan Cooper-ridden Billy Flight got the better of favourite Kilganer Queen by five and a half lengths.
"He wouldn't have run only for Bryan (Cooper) as he said to run him again. He also said he was staying and to drop him in class. I didn't think Ballinrobe would suit him, but he was very good on him. Today was the first day he carried him a bit, he usually tails himself off," elaborated Meade.
D.N. Russell, rider of Mischief Maisy trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made mistakes during this race.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Liam Walsh, that J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Generous Bond had weighed in at 1.1lbs overweight.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount had sweated a lot before the start and the saddle pad had absorbed this which in his opinion accounted for the overweight.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.P. O'Sullivan was in breach of Rule 231 and suspended him for 1 raceday having taken his previous record into consideration.
(DM & EM)
