L to R - Grey Mountain Mist (Sean Flanagan), Canny Tom (Davy Russell) & Da Baba Elephant (Danny Mullins, winner)© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Mullins gained compensation for his earlier fall from Epsilon Indi in the 6.45 when successful on Ronan McNally's Da Baba Elephant in the Opel 182 Handicap Chase at Wexford.
Backed into 7/2 joint favouritism, from 9/2 on track, and bigger earlier, Da Baba Elephant made most and Mullins always looked confident he'd contain the challengers up the straight. Grey Mountain Mist tried his case on the run-in but Da Baba Elephant held him by half a length.
"Once we got all that rain I thought he had no chance basically," was McNally's assessment afterwards.
"It was a pleasant surprise. He disappointed here the last day when we thought he'd go well. He hurt his back at the second fence.
"We stopped and measured a kitchen on the way down in Wicklow because we make kitchens. It took us five hours to come down from Armagh.
"He is in on Tuesday now at Perth and Worcester and it'll depend on what the handicapper is going to do. I don't think he will crucify him because he didn't win that far.
"If they are going to be hard on him, we will probably go again. If not we'll probably give him a wee break.
"I ran him quick enough after his first run of the season, and he disappointed. So if the handicapper is easy enough we'll give him a few weeks off."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dorkas (GB), trained by J.R.Finn, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be slightly lame post race.
Rachael Blackmore, rider of Dorkas (GB) trained by J.R.Finn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount stopped quickly coming down the hill.
The Stewards interviewed J.W. Kennedy, rider of Soul Kaliber concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that J.W. Kennedy was in breach of Regulation 10.3(b) the unnecessary hitting of a horse after its chance of winning or being placed is clearly gone.
Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended J.W. Kennedy for 3 race days.
(DM & EM)
