Cheltenham festival winning rider Mikey Fogarty bridged a gap of over two and a half years since his last success in the saddle. At Thurles today the Wexford man won the Premier County Mares Handicap Hurdle for his brother Jonathan on Robin Gold

The 2nd of April 2017 saw Fogarty last sample success on the track, aboard From Eden for Val O’Brien at Fairyhouse.

Soon after he took a lengthy break away from being a jockey, recently coming back at Galway on October 8th.

Robin Gold was backed from 18/1 into 8/1 for this assignment, after much bigger prices had been availed of earlier on.

That was certainly inspired support. On her first start since May the Gold Well mare left behind previously uninspiring form.

She did everything right until hanging badly left on the run-in but she’d done enough to take care of business, by three lengths. Favourite Something Sweet finished second.

"I haven't ridden a winner for a while and you'd know it as I took it up and she hung left. She stays galloping and that's all she does," said Mikey Fogarty.

"I was very light at 10st10lbs but I've been playing other sports and have been watching my weight the last few months. I lost four or five pounds for today.

"She had worked well a couple of weeks ago and we were expecting her to run well. We didn't think she'd win but thought she had an each-way squeak.

"Robbie McNamara got his license to be a jockeys' agent today so he'll be taking my bookings along with Bryan Cooper from now on."

The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Robin Gold, trained by Jonathan Fogarty, placed, first compared with its recent form. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned, who stated that his charge had shown ability in the past having run well in a point to point before falling. He said his charge was weak and let out for six weeks after poor runs on the track. He further added that charge returned from the break much stronger and settled very well today and felt a combination of both had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Evidence was also heard from Mr. A. Shaw, I.H.R.B. National Hunt Handicapper, who outlined the animals previous form and was of the view that today's win was a marked improvement in access of 14 lbs. The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Robin Gold was found to have blood at both nostrils post race, possibly as a result of exercised induced pulmonary haemorrhage. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official of the I.H.R.B. for further investigation.

T. Ryan, rider of My Galway Girl trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount felt slightly lame on pulling up.

The Stewards requested a report from Mr. L. Wyer, I.H.R.B. Clerk of the Course, to explain the circumstances why he authorised the omission of hurdle no. 3 from the second and third circuits of this race. Mr. Wyer reported that as the race started he was satisfied that the low lying sun was not affecting the hurdles, but during the running of this race, the situation changed quickly and he subsequently omitted hurdle no. 3 on the second and third circuits in the interest of safety. Having considered the report, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered.

The Stewards fined Timothy Doyle, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Stellar Stow, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Stellar Stow in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90.

Under the provisions of Rule 90, the Stewards allowed Kaletto trained by Mark L. Fagan, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the error identified in the certification of vaccinations would be corrected in accordance with Rule 91 within the timeframe specified.

(TW & EM)