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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

It's Judgement Day in Cork

Sun 21st Oct 2018, 17:07

Judgement Day stretches his rivalsJudgement Day stretches his rivals
© Photo Healy Racing

Judgement Day made all for Rachael Blackmore to seal his hat-trick in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase at 7-4.

He was a bit sticky over the third-last but responded well in the latter stages and bounded away on the run-in to score by four lengths. Polar Present the well backed 13/8 favourite, chased him home without threatening.

Henry de Bromhead said: "He is improving the whole time and his jumping was way better today, bar the last couple but Rachael was tying to get him home at that stage. His jumps down the back were really good and I thought it was a good performance.

"I don't know where we go now, probably another one those but we're out of the 123s, I presume. The penny is dropping all the time but I don't know where we go now.

"He is a horse with plenty of ability and he has just needed fences to get the best of of him and hopefully he'll keep improving."

S. O'Briain, rider of All's Quiet trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost ground at the start, when another runner obstructed his mount from jumping off with the field.

The Stewards enquired into course taken by Lilshane trained by Thomas.P. O'Connor and ridden by K.J. Brouder, where it appeared Lilshane went off course momentarily after a fair start was affected, before rejoined the race having taken the wrong course. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who outlined the difficulties he encountered trying to get his mount to participate and accepted that he had mistakenly taken the wrong course. Having viewed a recording of the incident and considered the evidence, the Stewards disqualified Lilshane using their powers under the provisions of Rule 215 and reminded K.J. Brouder of his future responsibilities in this regard.

The Stewards interviewed Thomas P.O'Connor, trainer of Lilshane, concerning the behaviour of this horse who misbehaved at the start before unseating his rider passing the stable yard. Having viewed a recording of both incidents and considered the evidence, the Stewards referred the matter to the Referrals Committee under Rule 14(iii).

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.