McNamara & Power strike with Zoffalee Zoffalee ran out an easy winner of the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Hurdle, justifying favouritism under Robbie Power for Andrew McNamara junior. Previously trained in the UK by Tom Dascombe, and successful on the level at Chester in August of 2017, the son of Zoffany was bought for 20,000 pounds at Tattersalls last October. A good second on his debut in handicap company at Wexford in April, the four-year-old gelding since finished fourth over the course earlier this month. Available at 3/1 for a time this morning, he eventually went off the clear 7/4 favourite in the colours of McNamara's wife Rhona. Settled in mid-division, the chestnut victor was sixth with a circuit to race, taking closer order from three out. He made good progress to lead before the last and was soon ridden clear, going on to score by nine and a half lengths. The Philip Rothwell trained Lesssaidthebetter finished second at 33/1 under James O'Sullivan, while She'stherightone (12s to 9s on-course) was a neck back in third, with Ricky Doyle aboard this one for Denis Cullen. "I'm delighted with him. He's owned by my wife so I'm even more delighted with that," said McNamara. "We'll probably try and sell him after that. He probably ran into one the first day in a handicap and then he was beaten fair and square the last day. "It was probably a weaker contest today. I'd have preferred it if he didn't win by nine-and-a-half lengths! "We'll see what the handicapper does to him and see where we go. He has done a good bit of schooling over fences so we might take in a chase as a four-year-old as they get good allowances." STEWARDS REPORTS * R.P. Treacy, rider of Flattothemat (GB) trained by S.J.Mahon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung very badly. * C.D. Maxwell, rider of Dragon Queen trained by M. Flannery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and pulled up. * D.Meyler, rider of Shes Gold trained by Thomas Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount pulled up having got badly hampered. * The Stewards interviewed S.J.Mahon, trainer, regarding the late arrival of two of his horses into the Parade Ring prior to this race. Evidence was heard from the trainer who stated that he had four runners in this race and that one of his charges was particular difficult when he tried to apply the tongue tie. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards cautioned the trainer to ensure he complies with Rule 32 (ii) in future. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
