Sams Profile (Phillip Enright) leads from Diol Ker (Sean Flanagan)© Photo Healy Racing
On the mark in the past in the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle with Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition, and Alpha Des Obeaux Mouse Morris struck with Sams Profile this afternoon at Gowran for owners Michael and John O’Flynn.
In a first time hood Sams Profile, returning from action over fences, got a patient steer from the back under Phillip Enright.
He got a ground saving ride around the inner from before the straight, and then toughed it out well to beat the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Noel Meade-trained pair, Diol Ker and Sixshooter by half a length and eleven lengths.
Sams Profile ‘missed' the last, and understandably in the conditions rolled about a little. It was no great surprise when the judge’s placings were confirmed after a steward’s enquiry.
The gambled-on front-runner Mary Frances (14/1 into 11/2) weakened to the rear after giving best from between the final two.
“Mouse said he’d been making the running over fences and had been quite hard on himself. They tried the hood on him at home and have done a brilliant job getting him settled,” said Enright, after his biggest winner.
“He settled like a dream today and I rode for luck turning in. I had to switch out after jumping the second last.
“He went a little bit right at the back of the last and was gone clear. He missed a bit of work having been given a chance to recuperate and he needed the run and tied up a little bit.
“He’s a tough horse as he took an awful fall over fences in Thurles and he actually fractured ribs that didn’t show up until he ran afterwards in Fairyhouse. He managed to still finish third with a broken rib. It’s a testament to the horse how tough he is.
“He’s a horse that wears his heart on his sleeve. He deserves this day and I’m delighted to be the man to steer him. Michael and John O’Flynn who own him are brilliant supporters of the game.”
For his part Morris commented: "He hasn't been easy and fractured ribs at Thurles (in November) from the horrible fall he got and he ran with it afterwards. He bled when he got home after his Fairyhouse run and it was the vets - Siobhan in Halleys, who found it. He bruised his lungs and we gave him box rest.
"He is as tough as old boots and it was just one of those things in Thurles but it got too late in the year (to continue novice chasing).
"He had a couple of good runs but isn't the luckiest horse in the world. The Stayers Hurdle will be pencilled in now.
"Being quite frank with you, I thought maybe he was a bit far back at the top of the hill but you have to take it off to him, he is a cool dude. He was dead right and I was wrong."
Paddy Power go 16/1 from 66/1 about Sams Profile for the Stayers Hurdle.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Great White Shark (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference from the approach to the final hurdle and on the run in thereafter involving Diol Ker (FR), ridden by S.W. Flanagan, placed second and Sams Profile (GB), ridden by P.T. Enright, placed first, where it appeared that Diol Ker (FR) was tight for room at the final hurdle and may have been carried wide in the latter stages before the winning post. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that interference had taken place but were not satisfied that the winner had improved his placing over the second placed horse by causing him interference and therefore made no alteration to the Judges placings. They were, however, of the opinion that the interference was caused by P.T. Enright riding carelessly, this being a breach of Rule 214. Having taken his good previous record into consideration, the Stewards cautioned P.T. Enright on this occasion.
S.W. Flanagan, rider of Diol Ker (FR) trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was badly hampered at the final hurdle.
(TW & EM)
