Hello Humpfrey beats Wagadoogoochoochoo and Lily The Lioness © Photo Healy Racing
Money horses Armed Guard (8s into 7/2, finished 6th) and Thuigim (20s into 8s, finished 9th) never really threatened to deliver but there was support for Hello Humpfrey (9/2 into 7/2) too and he delivered as seven pound claimer Robbie Downey continued to take the winter series by storm on the polytrack in the Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Handicap.
Following up on a success over the course and distance from twelve days back, Hello Humpfrey represents the in-form Peter Casey outfit and here the top-weight overcame some adversity in running (Downey got a 2 day careless riding ban) to eventually see off Wagadoogoochoochoo by a neck.
Francis Casey, representing his father, Peter, also the owner of Hello Humpfrey, said: "He's a grand horse and he'll stay further. He should be able to win another one.
"He's a lovely good ground hurdle horse and he's on the market."
The Stewards enquired into 2 incidents in this race, the first incident early in the home straight involving Hello
Humpfrey, ridden by R.P. Downey, winner and La Oliva ridden by J.A. Heffernan, unplaced, where it appeared
La Oliva suffered interference and had to check, and the second incident after the finishing line involving Hello
Humpfrey, ridden by R.P. Downey, winner, Wagadoogoochoochoo, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed second and Lilly The Lioness ridden by W.M. Lordan, placed third, where it appeared both Wagadoogoochoochoo and Lilly the Lioness suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned in the presence of Mr E. Lynam, trainer and master of R.P. Downey. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion R.P. Downey was in breach of Rule 214 in both instances in that he had ridden carelessly and having taken his inexperience and his good record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays.
(AM & EM)
