Mary Frances excellent from the front in Pertemps Qualifier Mary Frances (12s into 9s) was game from the front to land the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Punchestown. The lightly weighted Well Chosen mare, a half-sister to a Grade One performer in Jazz Messenger, was dropping back to handicap company after being upped in class for her last three starts. Martin Hassett’s eight-year-old found much more for pressure in the straight to see off the sweet-travelling Blast Of Koeman by four and three parts of a length. The first five were well clear of the rest as A Great View (third), Relegate (fourth) and Royal Thief (well-backed favourite, finished fifth) ran okay without matching the principals. Paddy Power go 14/1 from 20/1 about Relegate for the Pertemps Final. “I knew she had a serious chance and you can forget about her last two runs,” said Hassett. “We have been waiting two and a half years for that ground. It was a waste running her last year. She is virtually unbeatable on that ground. “She had a light weight and Cathal gave her a superb ride. “We might travel to Cheltenham if she gets in. She is a fussy traveller and she started sweating as soon as we pulled up here in the horsebox. Cheltenham is a long way to be sweating! “She’s by Well Chosen and he’s probably the most underrated sire in the country. They are tough and genuine and every day she goes up the gallop she gives one hundred per cent. “My brother Michael who was 62 last December rides her every day — nobody is let near her. In fairness it is down to him and I won’t take credit for this one.” The Stewards received a report from O.R Brown , nominated rider of High Sparrow , that he would be unable to weigh out at the correct weight which included a 2lb overweight possibility as declared under Rule 195 (i). Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he had been injured in recent weeks and his weight had escalated during that time. He added that he had accepted the ride but realised this morning that he was in difficulty with his weight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that O.R Brown was in breach of Rule 195 and Rule 198 (vii). Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended O.R Brown for 3 racedays . (AM & EM)
