Princess wins on Royal evening Mystic Princess has had her jumping issues before, so her backers were probably happy enough that the hurdle in front of the stands was taken out due to the low lying sun. The local filly ran out a convincing winner of the Martin Reilly BMW Handicap Hurdle at Sligo. Not surprisingly, given that he was riding a four-year-old daughter of Manduro off the flat, winning rider Derek Fox looked happy in the straight, that he'd out-speed nine-year-old jumps bred gelding Mista Wabbit Man. This Mystic Princess achieved, by five and a half lengths. Meanwhile those that made Stoughan Cross the 11/8 favourite were left most disappointed as he could manage no better than eighth, having been in trouble from some way out. "She was unfortunate a few times but the handicapper has been fair to her. It was a weakish race," remarked successful handler Mark McNiff. "She will probably go back to the flat, and could run in about five weeks over around a mile and six." Owing to low-lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for the last hurdle to be omitted in this race. The Stewards interviewed R. Loughran, rider of Jkt Prince, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards accepted that he used his whip in the forehand position in exceptional circumstances but found him in breach of Reg 10 (3) (b) by using his whip when his chance of winning or being placed was gone and having taken his record into account suspended him for two race days. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Stoughan Cross, trained by Thomas Gibney, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. (AM & EM)
