Lily off the mark under super-sub Mullins

Danny Mullins replaced Conor Orr on Bracka Lily in the Balloohire.com Mares Handicap Hurdle and he guided Noel Kelly’s charge to a three length win at Downpatrick.

By permission of the stewards Mullins was allowed to ride at four pounds over-weight but that didn’t stop the successful daughter of Mahler shedding her maiden tag at the 19th time of asking. Walking In Memphis and Iamastartoo gave Bracka Lily most to do. The Kelly runner was a good winner at the line though.

"Fair play to the stewards for letting us run (with Danny Mullins putting up 4lb overweight). They could have been very awkward and not let us run. All the owners are here and they didn't make too much of a fuss," said Kelly.

"He rode her very well and is a very shrewd jockey.

"She's not overly big and I thought today we would put her in a higher class race and take the weight off her - it worked a treat.

"It will be something similar again, and if we get a bit of weight off her back she will be all the better for it.

"She was going well here the last day and she fell at the top of the hill."

The Stewards fined C.J. Orr, rider, €600 in accordance with Rule 196 (v), for failing to present himself at the racecourse necessitating changes of riders on Rising Race 3, trained by Noel C. Kelly, Bracka Lily, Race 4, trained by Noel C. Kelly, Howya Darlin Race 5, trained by Noel C. Kelly and Canadian Steel Race 6, trained by Noel C. Kelly.

The Stewards considered a request by Noel C. Kelly, trainer of Bracka Lily, to allow his substitute rider, D.E. Mullins, to ride at 4 lbs overweight, as there was no other suitable rider available. Having considered the very exceptional circumstances necessitating the change of rider, the Stewards allowed the overweight in accordance with Rule 198 (vii) (b). .

D.F. O'Regan, rider of Ballydunblaze trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that he pulled up having felt his mount go lame, however she returned home sound.

The Stewards enquired into an incident approaching the final hurdle involving Ballydunblaze, ridden by D.F. O'Regan and Iamastartoo, ridden by S.W. Flanagan, where it appeared that Ballydunblaze ran short of room and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ballydunblaze, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.

(MG & EM)