Unlucky Sil Ver Klass gets a turn

Derby specialist Padraig Beggy visited the number one spot for the first time since the summer when winning the Racing Again Sunday 8th November Handicap (DIV II) at Navan on Sil Ver Klass for Tony Martin.

Favourite Arcland is finding it extremely difficult to secure a maiden success, and here he yielded by half a length, whilst Katie McConville was riding in her first race, on the third home, Magic Sea That fellow was two and a half lengths back.

Sil Ver Klass could have tougher days ahead then, but owners, the Mulvany’s Bar Syndicate, and trainer, Tony Martin, were pleased to see the French-bred on the mark for the first time since triumphing in a Limerick handicap hurdle in April 2018.

He actually got that race subsequently, as the first past the post was disqualified after a positive sample.

Sil Ver Klass did win in France in 2017.

“You'd be delighted with that. A great bunch of lads own him and you'd be delighted for them,” said Martin.

“He's an unlucky horse. On his first run back over fences at Galway he stood on a fence.

“He had been running very consistently over hurdles for the last year-and-a-half so it's lovely to come back and win one on the Flat with him.

“It was great and he did it well.”

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Magic Sea, ridden by Katie McConville, and trained by Sarah Dawson. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. Katie McConville, stated that her instructions were to be handy and do the best from there. Sarah Dawson, stated that the rider was having her first ride, she instructed her to ride him forward and travel in the first four or five. The horse was ridden in a flash noseband and may have resented it. The horse lost a shoe and she noted he was running on the wrong leg throughout the race. The horse was fit and well and she was satisfied with the ride given. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer which stated that Magic Sea had lost a front shoe but was otherwise post race normal. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.

(GC & EM)