Doyle well pleased with Storm Steps progress Just a short head and a head split them at the end of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap and there was a steward’s enquiry before Storm Steps was confirmed victorious at 12/1 for Tim Doyle and Ben Coen. Owned and bred by Jim Monaghan, Storm Steps and the others may have got close late on, but it was no surprise when the judge’s placings were confirmed. Always to the fore, the successful Tipperary runner marginally held Pachmena in the last strides as favourite Top Line Tommy just failed to catch the front pair in third. They left Wild Shot five lengths back in fourth. Storm Steps has now won three times over a mile and a half at Dundalk and his trainer reflected afterwards: “He’s done well up here and that’s his third win this winter. He’s an out and out stayer. “We have options as he jumps well and he’ll go on the grass. I don’t know if there is anything else up here for him. “He’s strengthening up all the time, so we’ll find something for him. He’s schooled over hurdles and he jumps well.” The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the straight involving Storm Steps, ridden by B.M. Coen, placed first and Pachmena, ridden by G.M. Ryan, placed second. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. G.M. Ryan stated that he was consistently intimidated up the straight and was carried five horse widths towards the stand side. B.M. Coen stated that he caused no interference and was always holding the second placed horse. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings as they were not satisfied that Storm Steps had improved its placing in relation to Pachmena and took no further action. (AM & EM)
