Como Park (Rachael Blackmore, left) and Mister Beeton (Shane Fitzgerald) get down and dirty© Photo Healy Racing
Como Park landed the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle, the penultimate event at Bellewstown, but his €9,000 first prize was well earned.
Eventual runner-up Mister Beeton definitely travelled better to the business end, whilst winning rider Rachael Blackmore also lost her whip on the run-in.
There was then a pretty lengthy steward's enquiry before the Nameless & Shameless Partnership-owned and Henry de Bromhead-trained Como Park was confirmed the neck victor.
Stable representative Robbie Power said: "He really toughed it out well.
"Rachael gave him a great ride and he loved that ground as well. I was a little bit worried about that ground before the race, but he really did like it.
"It was a good performance and backed up his Punchestown run, that was a great effort in a big field.
"Loved the way he fought from the back of the last - the other horse looked to be travelling a lot better, but he put his head down and fought all the way to the line.
"There's plenty of options coming up and there is a good staying handicap in Galway. The way he put his head down and battled, you would imagine the hill in Galway could suit him.
"He has plenty of miles on the clock so he will have no bother with Galway over three weeks away, perfect timing probably."
The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Como Park, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, placed first, and Mister Beeton, ridden by S. Fitzgerald, placed second, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Rachael Blackmore stated that she felt she had kept a straight line. S. Fitzgerald stated that his mount had rolled out and there was contact but he wasn't sure if it affected the result. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that while there was contact between the two horses, Como Park did not improve his finishing position in relation to Mister Beeton so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings. Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no riding offence had occurred and took no further action.
Mr D. Doyle, rider of Getaway Charlie trained by Timothy Doyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount didn't handle the ground and pulled up.
J. Kearney, rider of Futurum Regem trained by Hugh Paul Finegan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got tight for room at the top bend. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
(MG & EM)
