Costello finally gets his reward “Hallelujah! That’s all I can say! The moral of the story is to keep trying. He’s had about 40 runs, it’s very hard to win a race in Ireland. My original jockey David Splaine got hurt,” Flan Costello exclaimed after Diamondgeezer Luke won Division 2 of the two and a half mile handicap hurdle in Ballinrobe. It was the seven-year-old gelding’s first win on his 41st attempt and it took Limerick publican Costello off the cold list after 1415 days and 215 runners. The 8/1 shot raced in mid-division before coming through to deliver his challenge at the second last. He made a mistake at the last when in front, but kept on stoutly under Andrew Ring to win by three and a quarter lengths. Gambled-on Thoonavolla (10/1 to 6/1 at the track) had to settle for second place for Eoin Doyle and Kevin Sexton. It was a further five lengths back to Curragh Golan in third at 14/1 while Banned In Bhutan, also at 14/1, completed the places in this 16-runner handicap. The Stewards interviewed A. Ring, rider of Diamondgeezer Luke, winner, 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 A. Ring was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (g) in that he used his whip with his arm above shoulder height, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 race days and ordered that he attend RACE for 1 days tuition on the correct use of the whip to improve his technique. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
