Value At Risk (Richie Kiely) keeps going to beat Windsor Park (Declan Lavery) in the last at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Philip Fenton, on the mark earlier with The Tullow Tank in the Royal Bond, doubled his score in the concluding Uniflu – 1st For Cold And Flu Supporting Meath GAA (Pro/Am) Flat Race at Fairyhouse with the Richie Kiely partnered Value At Risk
On this card back in 1998 Value At Risk's dam, Miss Orchestra finished runner-up in the marathon Porterstown Handicap Chase so it was hardly much of a surprise to see Kiely give the victorious Kayf Tara gelding an attacking ride from the front.
His rivals, including well-backed favourite Sizing Venezuela tried to bridge the gap in the straight (he eventually faded into seventh) but Value At Risk kept up the gallop to beat Dermot Weld's Windsor Park by a length and a half. There was eight and a half lengths back to Sunrae Shadow in third.
Fenton reported: "He looks like one for the future. He's a grand stamp of a horse.
"Next stop is Leopardstown all being well if it doesn't come too soon.
"He's only four and we don't want to rush him. He done it the hard way today and it's a good sign of a horse.
"He probably wants soft ground – he's a big horse and he's got big feet.
"We pulled him out at Punchestown, that was too dry, and we ended up running here on ground that was probably better.
"He looks a nice horse – he's a good jumper and he's a chaser in the making.
"He could be a very good horse and we'll just stick to bumpers with him this season.
"I think Cheltenham would be on his agenda – that could be a way to ruin him!
"There's always Punchestown anyway if we get a bit of a dig."
The Stewards received a report from Mr P W Murtagh , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Mr S. Clements , rider of Valgor Du Ronceray (FR) , weighed in at 1.7 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he could not account for the overweight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr S. Clements was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for one raceday.
(GC & EM)
