Youngnedofthehill with Rachael Blackmore and Shane Nolan© Photo Healy Racing
The evergreen Youngnedofthehill (13/2) showed some turn of foot to blast home in the extended two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Shane Nolan 's 13-year-old gelding was ridden by Rachael Blackmore for the first time and made sustained progress onto the heels of the leaders before the last.
Youngnedofthehill jumped it in third and was ridden into second racing past the furlong pole.
The leader, Beat Of The Sea looked to have his measure as he was a few lengths in front but the turbo kicked in in the final 100 yards as Youngnedofthehill stormed home.
He swept past Beat Of The Sea in the closing stages but Stamp Your Feet (12/1) also finished powerfully on his outer to get to within an ever-diminishing neck at the line. Beat Of The Sea was three parts of a length back in third at 9/1.
The winner has a good record at this venue and two of his three career successes have come in Ballinrobe.
“We were slightly worried about the ground but given his course record we said we’d let him take his chance,” said trainer Nolan as he led his charge away.
“The only plan now is that he’ll be back here again anytime there’s a race for him!”
The Stewards interviewed C.D. Timmons, rider of Gray Duke concerning his use of the whip leaving the back straight of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who did not accept that he had used his whip unnecessarily. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that C. D. Timmons was in breach of Regulation 10.3.b, the unnecessary hitting of a horse after its chance of winning or being placed is clearly gone. Having considered C. D. Timmons record in this regard the Stewards suspended C. D. Timmons for two racedays.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
