Billy's Angel and Dillon Maxwell© Photo Healy Racing
An unconventional prep he may have had but Billy’s Angel arrived off a Dundalk effort to take Clonmel’s soft ground Colm Hanly Mitsubishi Motors Handicap Hurdle.
Six days back on the polytrack under Robson Aguiar, Billy’s Angel finished down the field in a maiden behind Hazel Bay, after racing prominently.
However in the hands of Dillon Maxwell, it was either the Adrian Murray-trained winner, or Alice Johnston (eventual third) from some way out, as they raced clear of the rest here.
Favourite Shantou Sisu stayed on in the straight. He was never getting to Billy’s Angel though, and seven and a half lengths split them at the line.
"Coming down the hill I started to ask him but I knew he always had it. The ground was a bit heavy for him and he'd like it a touch quicker but still got there in the end,” said Maxwell.
He added on the 2017 Ballinrobe bumper scorer: "He'll be a nice horse for the winter."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Arch Melody trained by J. Morrison, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Stewards interviewed A.P. Kelly, rider of Alice Johnston, 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 found A. P. Kelly in breach of Regulation 10.3 (g) frequency. Having considered A. P. Kelly's record in this regard the stewards cautioned A. P. Kelly on this occasion.
(TW & EM)
