Tipp on top again with An Saighdiur The Men Of Forty Eight Syndicate enjoyed seeing their colours carried to success by Volkis O'Blue at Tramore on New Year's Eve and that grouping were on the mark again when An Saighdiur landed a little bit of a ‘touch’ under Billy Lee for trainer Andy Slattery in the opening Group Bookings At Dundalk Rated Race. Backed at 16/1 this morning into a starting price of 8/1, the course and distance winning son of Acclamation just held the challenge of the favourite, Tsar Paul (burst a blood vessel), by a head. An Saighdiur was overcoming an outside draw in twelve and an absence from action of 141 days but Slattery wasn’t overly surprised with the success saying: “I’d suppose he was well-in at the weights. “He stays a mile and a quarter on grass but he gets keen when he comes here for some reason. He jumps hurdles well and I think he’ll stay the two miles. I’d like to run him over a mile and a quarter here and drop him in.” The Men Of Forty Eight Syndicate includes Tipperary hurlers of the past, including some from the 1989 and 91 winning sides. Donie O’Connell was in attendance and Nicky English is reportedly involved too. The Stewards interviewed, W.J. Lee, rider of the winner An Saighdiur concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that W.J. Lee was in breach of R10(2)(e), hitting his mount other than down the shoulder or on the hind quarters. The Stewards cautioned W.J. Lee having taken into consideration his good previous record in respect of this offence The Stewards interviewed, P.J. Smullen, rider of Tsar Paul, placed second, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that P.J. Smullen was in breach of R10(3), by failing to give his mount a chance to respond. The Stewards cautioned P.J. Smullen having taken into consideration his good previous record in respect of this offence The Stewards received a report from F. Lynch, rider, that a delay in his flights departure from Manchester to Belfast caused him to fail to arrive on time to weigh out on Almadaa, trained by Mr David Marnane, in this race. F. Lynch also produced his flight documentation to support his evidence. The Stewards were satisfied with the report offered and did not proceed with any enquiry The Stewards interviewed R.P. Whelan, rider, concerning his failure to arrive on time to weigh out on Romeo’s On Fire, trained by Mr Lee Smyth, in this race. R.P. Whelan stated that he had encountered problems with his car and had notified Mr Smyth in plenty of time to allow him to secure another rider. Mr Mark Carroll, Turf Club Security Officer also gave evidence in support of the riders statement. Having considered the evidence the Stewards took no further action. (AM & EM)
