Liam McKenna and Sean Flanagan are all smiles after dead heating in the last© Photo Healy Racing
Dragon's Pass and Pana To Milan couldn't be separated by the judge in the concluding Jump Into January @Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Denise Foster and ridden by Sean Flanagan, his first win since returning from injury, Dragon's Pass was returned at 12/1.
Partnered by Liam McKenna, Pana To Milan, who is trained by Mick Winters for the Leave Him Alone Syndicate, was sent off a 50/1 chance on what was her seventh career start.
In front before two out, Pana To Milan was soon pressed by Dragon's Pass. The latter gradually reeled-in the outsider on the run-in and joined her on the line.
.Pana To Milan did drift left before the last and again on the run-in, impeding Dragon's Pass, but after an enquiry, the result remained unaltered.
The front pair were a length-and-a-quarter in front of Carbon King in third. Returned the 11/10 favourite, he didn't get the clearest of runs in the straight and had to settle for minor honours.
After racing towards rear, Mighty Jeremy (22/1) made late headway to complete the places in fourth.
"I'm absolutely delighted with her, it's her first run of the season. She had been showing lots at home," Denise 'Sneezy' Foster said.
"She's a bit of a mad hatter but at home she's been really relaxed and happy. She loves that ground and Sean gave her a great ride. He knows her well and it's good to see him back."
STEWARDS REPORTS
B. Hayes, rider of Mighty Jeremy, trained by Liam G O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran very free for much of the race and stayed on..
The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference after jumping the second last hurdle involving Dragon's Pass, ridden by S.W. Flanagan, dead heat for first, and Pana To Milan, ridden by L.A. McKenna, dead heat for first, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. S.W. Flanagan, stated that his mount went slightly right after jumping the second last, but that Pana To Milan made slight contact with him shortly afterwards. L.A. McKenna, stated that both horses made slight contact, but as it happened so far out, he felt it was of little consequence and had made no difference to the result. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were not satisfied that either horse had improved their placings as a result of the accidental interference that had occurred and therefore they made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.
Owing to the low trajectory of the sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for for hurdle number five to be omitted from this race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
