Stone-Walsh guides Markievicz to comfortable success Conor Stone-Walsh recorded the sixth win of his fledgling career, as he partnered Markievicz to a comfortable success in the 23-runner Mongey Communications Apprentice Handicap. The talented Co Wexford teenager is fast making a name for himself and is due to sit his leaving certificate examinations next month. Returning to the turf for the first time since October, the five-year-old victor was sent off a 9/1 chance for owner/trainer/breeder Sheila Lavery. Drawn on the far side in stall three, the Dandy Man bay was towards rear in the early stages, making gradual progress from before halfway. Pushed along to lead over a furlong from home, she quickly asserted and kept up in the gallop in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-three-parts to the good. The Claire O'Connell-trained Catherine Croi (14/1) filled the runner-up spot under Siobhan Rutledge, while Scarlet Dancer (16/1) and Sense Of Security (40/1) were third and fourth. Sent off the 9/2 joint-favourites, Let's Believe (from 16s early) and Inthepoorhouse were tenth and fifteenth respectively. "I wasn't sure about the ground, whether she would handle the soft. I knew she was in really good form," Lavery said. "Sometimes those sprinter horses lose their action a bit, but I've been very happy with her. "It is a lottery whether you are going to get into these races. "He gave her a lovely ride because she has to be ridden cold, he didn't panic. "I think there is a 0-65 coming up in the Curragh." Recording her second career success, the winner is out of Viztoria, a high-class performer for Lavery, who won at Group 2 level. STEWARDS REPORTS * J.A. Powell, rider of Short N Sweet, trained by P.J.F. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly. * J.J.G. Ryan, rider of Jumra, trained by T.G.McCourt, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount acted up in the starting stalls. * J. Coen, rider of Sense Of Security (GB), trained by J.Larkin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got very upset in the starting stalls. * The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident about two furlongs from the finish involving Art Of Unity (GB), ridden by D.N. Curran, and Peerless, ridden by S.D. Bowen, where it appeared that Peerless drifted onto the racing line of Art Of Unity (GB). Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
