No Grey Area's justifies Hassett's faith

Second favourite No Grey Area’s (9/2) struck on his second outing outside of bumper and maiden company when landing the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel today.

Martin Hassett’s Califet gelding was a close up third over nearly two and a half miles at this venue on his last appearance, that coming at the end of October.

Market-leader here Klassy Kay made a mistake at the last and the Pa King ridden victor soon extended away to beat Chalky White by two and a quarter lengths.

Klassy Kay ended up three parts of a length back in third. Resurrected Duke and Pat Taaffe were reported up and okay after being hampered on landing and falling two out.

"He has been threatening and threatening and it is no secret we think a lot of this horse. He is as tough as nails,” said Hassett.

"He ran free in his bumpers and did so again today but they went handy and it helped.

"Pa rode him the last day and said he left it too late, but I said 'you did what you were told' although he was absolutely kicking himself.

"It is brilliant to win today and it is no coincidence he is in the same box as The Conditional (subsequent Cheltenham festival winner for David Bridgwater). We got offers to sell him last year but we said we'd sit and suffer and I know I'll be proved right.

"He'll go the same route as The Conditional - if we sell him we sell him, if we don't we don't."

The winner was well backed and the local handler quipped "I had him well backed the last day too - it's an expensive game!"

C.D. Timmons, rider of Gray Duke trained by Edward Cawley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly right.

The Stewards enquired into an incident at the second last involving Chalky White, ridden by B. Hayes, placed second, Resurrected Duke, ridden by Mr Pat Taaffe, faller, and Winston Wolfe ridden by D.J. O'Keeffe, placed fourth, where it appeared that Resurrected Duke maneuvred towards the rail, taking the racing line of Chalky White, and subsequently clipping heels on landing and coming down. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found Mr. Pat Taaffe in breach of rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered Mr. Pat Taaffe's record in this regard the Stewards suspended him for three racedays.

At the request of the Stewards, F.J. Hayes, rider of Secret Cargo trained by Philip Fenton, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount felt unbalanced on the ground and found very little in the straight.

(TW & EM)