Kuiper Belt (nearest) just holds off Gold Seal before the result was reversed in the Stewards room© Photo Healy Racing
Gold Seal was awarded the feature at Listowel this afternoon, the Grade B Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle, completing a double on the card for Joseph O'Brien.
The 5/1 favourite Kuiper Belt finished was first passed the post under Denis O'Regan for Gordon Elliott, but he veered across in front of Gold Seal approaching the second last, causing interference.
Gold Seal then threw down a strong challenge on the run-in, but just failed to peg back Kuiper Belt, with a short head between them at the line.
Evan Daly was aboard the JP McManus owned victor (also successful with Bay Hill in the opener), who was returned at 11/1 (16s in early shows) in first time cheekpieces.
The front pair were a length and a half in front of Randalls Ur Poet who finished third under Mark Bolger for Seamus Fahey at 8/1.
Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, said: "He handled the ground better than I thought he would and the young lad rode him very well, and creeped into it lovely.
"Today was his Derby day and it was a lovely pot to win with him. I was up in the stands and had no real opinion on it (the enquiry) but Evan (Daly) thought when he came in, that he was unlucky as he was stopped at the wrong time.
"We'll find another handicap along the way next and the way he handled that ground, he has more a chance on winter ground than I previously thought he had. I was surprised how well he handled it."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into possible interference between the last two hurdles involving Torcello ridden by B.J. Cooper, placed fifth, Gold Seal, ridden by E.T. Daly, placed second, Kuiper Belt, ridden by D.F. O'Regan, placed first and Galtymore ridden by S.A. Mulcahy, placed sixth, where it appeared that Kuiper Belt (USA) in manoeuvering outwards caused a concertina effect of interference.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Kuiper Belt had improved his placing in relation to Gold Seal by causing interference and consequently reversed the placings of those horses with the result now to read;
First - Gold Seal, Second - Kuiper Belt, Third - Randalls Ur Poet, Fourth - Lucky Icon Fifth - Torcello, Sixth - Galtymore and Seventh - Masterstonemason
Furthermore the Stewards were of the opinion that D.F. O'Regan was in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly and suspended him for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration.
Rachael Blackmore, rider of Les Arceaux trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount stopped quickly and was pulled up.
P. Townend, rider of Dreamtide (GB) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly and pulled up after the third last hurdle.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
