Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Billy Flight shows a bit of spark to win
Billy Flight and Bryan Cooper
© Photo Healy Racing
It was no surprise to hear Noel Meade say "after the last day me and Eddie (O'Leary) were ready to pull the plug on him," after Billy Flight (12/1 into 8/1) landed the McHale Fusion Vario Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
The Walk In The Park gelding was seen getting reminders from an early stage at Punchestown last time out, before doing some late work when thirteenth in a big field behind Nobody Home.
Here going a little further in distance at three miles one, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Bryan Cooper-ridden Billy Flight got the better of favourite Kilganer Queen by five and a half lengths.
"He wouldn't have run only for Bryan (Cooper) as he said to run him again. He also said he was staying and to drop him in class. I didn't think Ballinrobe would suit him, but he was very good on him. Today was the first day he carried him a bit, he usually tails himself off," elaborated Meade.
D.N. Russell, rider of Mischief Maisy trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made mistakes during this race.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Liam Walsh, that J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Generous Bond had weighed in at 1.1lbs overweight.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount had sweated a lot before the start and the saddle pad had absorbed this which in his opinion accounted for the overweight.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.P. O'Sullivan was in breach of Rule 231 and suspended him for 1 raceday having taken his previous record into consideration.
(DM & EM)