Curragh Golan & Shane Shortall (left) and Personal Shopper & Rachael Blackmore battle out the finish © Photo Healy Racing
After scoring with Lilly The Lioness at Wexford on June 17th Garrett Power was on the mark again at Bettyville this evening as his Curragh Golan just prevailed in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
The ten-year-old son of Golan was available at 7/1 last night and he opened on-course at 5's before going off a 9/2 chance under Shane Shortall.
Having his first run over fences since November of 2012 he travelled strongly in second approaching the straight.
He joined Personal Shopper at the second last and he needed to be driven out on the run-in to see off that rival by a head.
The runner-up was returned a 5/1 chance under Rachael Blackmore for Harry Smyth. Royal Chief was sent off the 5/2 favourite and he finished a further thirty-seven lengths back in third under David Mullins for Eoin Doyle.
Garrett Power said afterwards: "He travelled very well and jumped like a buck.
"The weight was catching him a bit over hurdles but he is in a hurdle at Galway on Wednesday and he will probably run there."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed Rachael Blackmore, rider of Personal Shopper (GB), placed second, concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion Rachael Blackmore was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that she had used his whip with excessive frequency, and having taken her good record into account, they cautioned her accordingly.
