The dead-heaters Hidden Spark (Cian MacRedmond) and Blue Raven (Billy Lee, rails)© Photo Healy Racing
Division one of the Starlite Drive In Cinema At Naas Racecourse Handicap saw a dead-heat between Hidden Spark (8/1 into 11/2) and Blue Raven (28/1).
Hidden Spark, beginning for Ado McGuinness, wasn’t exactly going on with her effort in the closing stages, but Cian MacRedmond got enough out of her to gain a share of the spoils.
Meanwhile Blue Raven, for owner/breeder Joe Keeling, former HRI Chairman, was having his third outing for Paul Stafford. Knock Flyer finished well for third, half a length back.
“I thought we had it on the nod but how and ever — half a cake is better than none. He was just caught on the line,” reflected Stafford.
“He’s only a small horse but he seems an easy horse to train. He hasn’t done a lot since he ran in Dundalk.
“Conor Maxwell rode him that day and suggested we drop him back to a mile and thankfully it worked out.
“The kids ride him at home and he’s happy at his job. I tried him initially over hurdles and I don’t think he was entirely in love with them so we’ll stay at this for another while.
“This is my first winner on the Flat. I’ve had several that I thought had good chances and were touched off.”
The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Here's Hoping ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed fourth and Knock Flyer, ridden by Siobhan Rutledge, placed third, where it appeared that Knock Flyer came across the path of Here's Hoping who appeared to check.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
R.P. Whelan stated that his mount was one paced and Knock Flyer arrived on his outside and moved inward for which he anticipated what might happen and he took a precautionary check. Siobhan Rutledge stated that her mount jinked away from the whip and on hearing a shout from R.P. Whelan, she straightened her mount. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards considered that any interference was accidental in nature and took no further action.
D.W. O'Connor, rider of Muraahin (GB) trained by J.F. Levins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never got a run after the turn into the straight.
W.J. Lee, rider of Blue Raven trained by Paul Stafford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount leaned left in the straight.
R.P. Whelan, rider of Here's Hoping trained by Tracey Collins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that he had to take a precautionary check in the latter stages.
Siobhan Rutledge, rider of Knock Flyer trained by D.J.Barry, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount reared on leaving the stalls.
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Monsieur Piquer (FR) trained by Christian Delcros, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was denied a run and finished on the bridle.
R.P. Cleary, rider of Dunum trained by Patrick Eugene Turley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stumbled on leaving the starting stalls.
(AM & EM)
