Harnett off the mark for the season and for Donnacha O'Brien

Apprentice Paddy Harnett put a first success of the season on the board when Igraine (22/1) won the Sandycove Handicap at Leopardstown for Donnacha O’Brien.

In her first time outside of maiden company, Igraine, owned and bred by O’Brien’s parents, seemed to sharpen up for the addition of cheek-pieces as she stepped up in trip.

Colin Keane dropped his whip in the final furlong, aboard odds-on favourite Lunar Power and the winner tightened him up slightly in the closing stages.

After a steward’s enquiry a two and a quarter length win was unsurprisingly confirmed as Harnett got off the mark for O’Brien.

“She was green early on but when I asked her she took off in the straight and stayed the trip well,” said Harnett.

O’Brien’s brother Joseph had doubled up earlier on the card.

The Stewards interviewed Melanie Horsman, rider of Rock Chica concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. In evidence, Melanie Horsman accepted that she had used her whip with her arm above shoulder height and acknowledged that she would work with her Jockey coach on correcting this habit. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that Melanie Horsman was in breach of R10(3)(h) by using her whip with her arm above shoulder height. Having taken her previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Melanie Horsman for one raceday

P.A. Harnett, rider of Igraine trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran around when she hit the front.

C.T. Keane, rider of Lunar Power trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got tight for room when close to the finish.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Igraine, ridden by P.A. Harnett, placed first and Lunar Power, ridden by C.T. Keane, placed second, where it appeared that Igraine left Lunar Power tight for room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In evidence C.T. Keane stated that his mount was wearing blinkers for the first time and he got tightened for room close to the finish and checked for a stride. P.A. Harnett stated that his mount was running in her first handicap and she was wearing cheek pieces for the first time. He added that his mount looked around and ran green when hitting the front close to the finish. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings and took no further action.

(AM & EM)