Showurappreciation makes the breakthrough JP McManus and his wife Noreen (winning breeder) quickly doubled their tally in the Supermac's Maiden Hurdle, with Showurappreciation making the breakthrough on his fourth start. Trained in Co Cork by Jonathan Sweeney, the Mastercraftsman gelding was a fine third at Gowran on his most recent outing and was upped in trip this evening to 2m 5f. Sent off an easy-to-back 3/1 chance (15/8 early), the five-year-old bay was settled in mid-division by Jody McGarvey, taking closer order from two out. Ridden on the outer away from the final flight, he kept on strongly on the run-in, hitting the front inside the final 100 yards before going on to record a comfortable success. A length-and-three-parts was the margin of victory, with All For Rachel (5/1 from 12s early) occupying the runner-up spot under Richie Condon for Oliver McKiernan Sent off the 15/8 favourite, Easy Fella finished another half-a-length back in third. "He wanted the trip. At this time of year, what kind of depth is in a race you wouldn't know, but you'd be happy with how he did it," Sweeney commented. "He's bred to win a Derby, he has a great pedigree. He'll go out to grass now and he might stay over hurdles when he comes back but we'll see what the boss says." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards interviewed Niall Moore, rider of Easy Fella, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Niall Moore stated that he had misjudged his use of the whip and mistakenly exceeded the whip guidelines for frequency. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Niall Moore was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his clean previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards cautioned Niall Moore on this occasion. * R. Deegan, rider of Aldworth Court, trained by Niall O'Flynn, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was a bit fractious at the start. * R.A. Doyle, rider of Rainbow Chaser, trained by Luke Comer, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount finished lame. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Rainbow Chaser trained by Luke Comer was lame on his left fore post race. Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
