Effernock Lad (Ricky Doyle) beats Thecraicisninety (Mark Walsh)© Photo Healy Racing
Effernock Lad made use of his bottom-weight impost to take the Frank O’Beirne Memorial Handicap Chase at Sligo.
For the in-form Gerry Keane team, Effernock Lad (Ricky Doyle up) beat second favourite, and winner at this meeting last year, Thecraicisninety by half a length.
The winner was backed to do so as well — 7/1 into 11/2 — and both himself and Thecraicisninety were always prominent.
Effernock Lad found enough when pressed by Thecraicisninety to the line, and there was a gap of three lengths to Global Jackpot in third.
“I thought the ground might have dried up too much for him as he likes a good cut in it," said Keane.
“He’s a very consistent horse and we’ve had him since he was a three-year-old. We intended to win a point-to-point and sell him but he never won a point-to-point and has won seven now on the track.
“He’s probably better over fences and he’s better handicapped over hurdles.
“He’s got a bad old cut and hopefully he’s alright. I think a horse jumped into him.
“For some reason they are running out of their skin this year. We have a few nice ones on the Flat and they are healthy and well.
“We’re not doing anything different than we did for the last 20 years and anything that’s any good is winning.”
The Stewards interviewed M.P. Walsh, rider of Thecraicisninety (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the latter 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 the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(g)(frequency) and having taken his record into account cautioned him.
(AM & EM)
