Grange Island gets O'Connor to 500

Mikey O'Connor registered his 500th career success, as he partnered Grange Island to a narrow win in the concluding Rathronan Maiden Hunters Chase.

Third in a bumper on his only previous visit to Powerstown Park, the Liam Burke trained victor claimed a point-to-point at Moig South in November on what was his first start in over 18 months.

The Shirocco seven-year-old since disappointed at Limerick over Christmas and was sent off a 20/1 chance this afternoon.

Settled behind the leaders on the outer, he was pushed along and improved to the dispute the lead on the run to two out.

He had a good tussle with Global Assembly from there, with just a head separating the pair at the line.

The runner-up was returned a 5/2 chance under Barry O'Neill for David Christie, while Baldur's Gate (25/1) was another four-and-a-half lengths back in third.

The Gordon Elliott trained Wearelongterm was returned the 15/8 favourite and he finished fourth.

O'Connor, who is 41 and was recording his first track win since October of 2014, said: "That's my 500th winner and 411 have been in point-to-points. I want to get to 413 to equal Enda Bolger's one-time point to point record. I'd like to join him, as he was a great rider.

"Riding Rebel Fitz and For Bill were great thrills and while I haven't been riding as much on the track recently due to a lot of injuries, my kids love it.

"My son Dylan has been pony racing champion for the past two years and is a class act but I'll definitely be finished by the time he gets his license!"

Burke added: "Fair play to Mikey, by God he is still able to ride them and there's nothing wrong with his bottle! He got great jumps out of him.

"I've been lucky with Mikey recently with two point-to-point winners but it is a long time since he rode a lot for me. He was out for a long time having had a bad fall but is back as good as ever.

"This horse was disappointing in very deep ground at Limerick and I was hoping he'd finish in the first five or six. He is a funny horse at home - he works great for the girls but mightn't go at all for the likes of me.

"He cost the price of a good horse in the early days and it is great for his owner Martin Fleming today, as he has been in poor health. He was due to come this morning but wasn't feeling well enough - he is a dream owner and you'd like to see he him have some luck."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Mr F. Maguire, rider of Clounts Glory trained by Michael Winters, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel in running and was pulled up.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Clounts Glory, trained by Michael Winters, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have blood at the nostrils post race.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr M.J. O'Connor, rider of Grange Island, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Mr M.J. O'Connor stated that he was unaware the height that he had raised his arm and furthermore he hit his mount quickly to keep up his momentum. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Mr M.J. O'Connor was in breach of R10(3)(h) by using his whip with his arm above shoulder height and R10(3)(i) by failing to give his mount at least three strides to respond. Having taken his good recent record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended Mr M.J. O'Connor for one raceday. Mr Joe O'Donoghue, Raceday Steward, was not present at this enquiry.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes