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- Meain can't manage Bubbles
Meain can't manage Bubbles
Call Me Bubbles beats Inis Meain
© Photo Healy Racing
There was a fantastic conclusion to the IRFU Charitable Trust Handicap as the well-backed favourite, 5/4 chance, Call Me Bubbles just got the better of Inis Meain at Galway.
Inis Meain got a great ride from the front from Ronan Whelan but he couldn't resist the challenge of the similarly well-handicapped Call Me Bubbles. A length and a quarter separated the pair at the line.
To emphasise that these two are seemingly ahead of the assessor, they left Mighty Whitey seven and a half lengths back in third.
Willie Mullins, the winning trainer, was at Goodwood to supervise Simenon's sixth placing in the feature and it was left to successful rider Pat Smullen to debrief the press.
The County Offaly native said: "It was great, he's a nice horse and he travelled well.
"I got the split when I needed it. He picked up well and he is a progressive three-year-old."
The Stewards interviewed, Mr Gary Davis, representing trainer Mr W P Mullins, in relation to the fact Call Me Bubbles (FR) went to the start with a tongue tie in this race which had not been declared. Evidence was heard from Mr. Davis who stated that having been distracted by their horse falling in the previous race and Call Me Bubbles (FR) having usually worn a tongue tie in previous races he had assumed it would be wearing one today and applied the tongue tie having neglected to check the card. The Stewards ordered the removal of the tongue tie prior to the race and having considered the evidence, accepted the explanation offered but reminded Mr Davis of his responsibilities in this regard.(TW & EM)