Watch The Weather comes to catch Mr Saxobeat © Photo Healy Racing
Red-hot jockey Tiernan Power Roche rode a fine patient race on 10/1 shot Watch The Weather who was a very topical winner of the extended 2m5f handicap chase on Punchestown's card.
He has now won on seven of his last 19 rides which is a phenomenal statistic for a 7lb claimer. Mr Saxobeat and Anna McGuinness raced close to the pace set by Hardwired who made a shuddering error two out. Mr Saxobeat picked it up, but he did his jockey no favours as he wandered between the final two fences.
Watch The Weather was the big threat as he closed in second approaching the last. He jumped it more swiftly than the leader and collared him in the closing stages. He won going away by three and three-quarter lengths from Mr Saxobeat (16/1). Shantreusse (9/2jf) was just under two lengths back in third.
Ray Cody said: “It’s the first time that Tiernan rode for me and he gave him a lovely ride. I told him to try and keep him on the bridle for as long as he could and come with one run.
“I thought the ground was gone on him. He’s better on better ground and that’s the first time that he’s won on that sort of ground.
“He jumped for fun and it’s a great pot to win.
“He’s been on the go all summer and will go on his holidays now. We’ll have him back in the spring maybe for Punchestown.”
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Anna McGuinness, rider of Mr Saxobeat, concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who attributed the breach to human error. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Anna McGuinness was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency, and having considered her record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended Anna McGuinness for two racedays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
