Top Othe Ra followed up a Ballinrobe win from ten days earlier to take the opening Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Galway at odds of 10/1. Golden Spear was eye-catching in second but at the line the David Mullins-ridden Top Othe Ra had two lengths in hand.

This was a real family success as the nine-year-old is trained by David's father Tom, and owned by his mother Helen.

"After the Bellewstown run we thought we were certainties in Ballinrobe and we only just won a head," said the winning handler.

"That didn't give us confidence for here today even though we knew we wouldn't ride him in front again.

"David was very very good on him. He won here before the horse — David learned a lot on him in the early days.

"He got injured a few times but that's why I kept the aul horse."

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Golden Spear (GB), ridden by John J. Fitzpatrick, and trained by A.J.Martin. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.

John J Fitzpatrick, stated that his instructions were to jump off in the first five or six and stay down the inner.

Prior the race he arrived last to the start and jumped off further back than he wanted to and was forced to drop out.

Consequently he was stopped up the inner and got no luck in-running. He stated that his mount hung to the left when coming down the hill.

He felt the horse may appreciate better going.

A.J.Martin, confirmed the instructions to the rider to be handy or race mid division and stay down the inner.

He stated that he wanted to claim off the horse and that he is a small good-actioned horse that ideally wants better ground.

He felt the horse was ridden too far out of his ground and had too many horses in front of him when ridden to challenge.

He expressed himself dissatisfied with the ride and that he was five or six lengths further back than where he should have been and in his opinion the horse might have won with a more energetic ride.

The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Golden Spear (GB) was coughing post race.

Samples were taken for analysis.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.

The Stewards did however find John J. Fitzpatrick in breach of Rule 213 by failing to report that his mount hung in-running and having taken his record into account severely cautioned him regarding his future responsibilities in this regard.

(TW & EM)