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Punchestown 2024
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10 days for Townend as Conduct prevails
Conduct Yourself and Brian Hayes come the inner of Vermout Fougeray and Paul Townend
© Photo Healy Racing
A bumper 'bronze medallist' at the August Festival here, Conduct Yourself (5/2 into 6/4 favourite) vindicated the decision of her connections to return quickly, after her Tipperary third placing on Monday, to land the www.tramore-racecourse.com Maiden Hurdle.
Brian Hayes earned praise for his effort up the inner aboard Abolitionist at Kilbeggan back in May, and the Cork man was determined to employ a similar approach here on Conduct Yourself.
Paul Townend (10 day dangerous riding ban and ordered to forfeit his riding fee), aboard the front-runner, Vermout Fougeray tried to put a stop to that challenge after the second last, and the pair collided, indeed knocking one of the 'posts' in the running rail.
Conduct Yourself did manage to get through but she needed to work hard to get home by three parts of a length from Vermout Fougeray, with two and three parts of a length to Mouskersize in third.
A steward's enquiry threw out Vermout Fourgeray from second.
"I'm very pleased with that and it's overdue," said winning trainer John Kiely.
"We were at home, and if it was a long journey we wouldn't have run her again so soon.
"She jumps well and Brian gave her grand ride. Her owners (Maurice Griffin, James Flavin and Margaret Ryan) are from Tipperary."
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Vermout Fougeray (FR), ridden by P. Townend, placed second and Conduct Yourself, ridden by B. Hayes, placed first, where it appeared Conduct Yourself ran short off room and struck the running rail.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that P. Townend was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden dangerously and therefore disqualified Vermont Fougeray (FR) from second place.
Furthermore, the Stewards suspended P. Townend from riding for ten race days and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
Amended result; First Conduct Yourself.
Second Mouskersize.
Third Brog Deas Nua (USA).
Forth Way Wild West
P. Townend, rider of Vermout Fougeray (FR) trained by Joseph Dullea, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left and jumped left throughout.
(DM & EM)