Ballyshannon Rose (Paddy Kennedy) leads Call The Tune (Mark Bolger) home© Photo Healy Racing
Ballyshannon Rose completed a hat-trick in the Follow Us On Social Media Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse as a good day got better for the Fahey family.
Successful trainer Paul Fahey, had watched his brother Peter’s Royal Kahala win the mares hurdle earlier, and here he jocked up Paddy Kennedy up for the spin on Ballyshannon Rose.
Easy to back at 13/2 the Doyen mare sauntered into the lead in the straight but Call The Tune attacked from before the last.
Ballyshannon Rose drifted away to her left on the run-in and she was only confirmed the length and three parts winner after a steward’s enquiry.
They left Thunderosa all of nineteen lengths back in third.
“She had a battle on her hands but she got the best of it,” said Fahey.
“She'll come back here in a couple of weeks time for a 0-116. We'll aim for that.
“She's thriving this year and she settled today in her race, which was grand and helped her get home.
“She's a progressive mare and next year over fences she might even go higher. We'll take it one day at a time.
“She a huge big mare, she's 17 hands, she's as big a mare that is out there but she makes good use of herself. Her head seems to have come right this year so it's great.”
With 15 winners Paddy Kennedy was equalling his best seasonal tally — a significant feat given that it’s only January 3rd.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference after the last hurdle involving Ballyshannon Rose, ridden by P.D. Kennedy, placed first and Call The Tune, ridden by M.J. Bolger, placed second, where it appeared the two horses came close together. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.
J.M. Moore, rider of Clonguile Way trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.
A.W. Short, rider of Second Symphony trained by C.A.McBratney, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left.
(GC & EM)
