The Folkes Tiara (Rachael Blackmore) and Path D'oroux (Keith Donoghue) clash at the last © Photo Healy Racing
Second in the race last year The Folkes Tiara stepped up to the gold medal position in the New Smart View Racecards By Racing Post Handicap Chase at Leopardstown today and there was no alteration either following a steward's enquiry.
Path D'Oroux and Keith Donoghue clashed with the winner at the last and came down. It was then The Big Chap that was left to give the Henry de Bromhead-trained and Rachael Blackmore-ridden 11/2 victor most to do.
The Folkes Tiara, mainly owned by the Power family of Paddy Power fame, saw it out well towards the far side to see off his aforementioned rival by a length and a quarter. The main players raced apart on the run-in after The Big Chap jumped right at the last.
Robbie Power representing de Bromhead said:- “He jumped super. Rachael was in front a lot sooner than I thought she would be but he actually jumped his way to the front so she just sat against him and took him back.
“He's toughed it out really well. He got under the last a bit but picked up again and when the other horse came to him he went away.
“He ran okay in Fairyhouse on ground that wouldn't be suitable for him, this ground is key to him as he likes a bit of nice ground.
“He was second in this race last year and it's great to go one better.
“We could probably look at the two-mile handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival as he runs well here, that would be the first thing that springs to mind — if he gets nice ground.”
The de Bromhead yard were bringing up an across the card double after the win of Mossy Fen Park in the opener at Down Royal.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference at the final fence involving Path D'oroux (FR), ridden by K.M. Donoghue, who fell at the last and The Folkes Tiara, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, placed first. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, K.M. Donoghue stated that he had enough room on the approach to the final fence and that The Folkes Tiara jumped slightly left as his mount was taking off and following a mid-air collision his mount fell. He further added that he always had enough room to jump the last but for the unfortunate incident. Rachael Blackmore stated that she was unaware of a challenger on her inside as it was behind her and was satisfied that she had left enough room for that challenger. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards did not apportion blame to any rider for the incident, they made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.
(GC & EM)
