Connection earns "bit of a break" All thoughts were with Robbie Downey after a fall around two down in the concluding irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk. The extended mile and a quarter event went the way of joint favourite, Pivotal Connection. Thankfully Downey was reportedly conscious when leaving for hospital after his spill from Miss Mirabeau. Up front Andy Oliver's Pivotal Connection (Leigh Roche aboard) led a furlong and a half out before seeing off fellow market-leader Miss Snossyboots by a length and three parts. "She's a lovely filly. She won her maiden here last time and wanted every yard of it then," said Oliver. "We intended to be positive and to make it if someone else didn't but we got a lovely lead into the race and just got up in the final half furlong. "We were fairly confident she would stay and hopefully improve for the extra distance and she did. "Leigh said he got to the front early enough and felt he had plenty in the tank. It's nice to have a good genuine filly. When a horse is genuine and goes on it means a lot. "Hopefully she's improving. There is nothing else for a while now so she'll get a bit of a break, it's nicely earned, and she's certainly a filly we'll look forward to next year." The Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Shamad, ridden by P.J. Smullen, Nimitz, ridden by W.J. Lee, Wild Shot (GB), ridden by R.P. Cleary, Vocal Activity, ridden by K.J. Leonard, and Jose Echegaray, ridden by A.J. Slattery, where it appeared Miss Mirabeau (GB) unseated. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. A.J. Slattery, apprentice, gave his evidence in the presence of his master, Andrew Slattery, trainer. R.P. Downey did not attend this enquiry as he was still receiving medical treatment. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards considered the incident to be accidental caused by general bunching and took no further action. (GC & EM)
