Back Off Mate, right, wins in Downpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
The well-supported Back Off Mate (7/2 in the morning to 2/1 favouritism) held on in a thrilling finish to the two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle.
Gareth Malone was on board the six-year-old Old Vic gelding. He manoeuvred his charge into third coming to the last. The pair hit the front with a furlong to go but were all out to foil Mighty Whitey (12/1) by a neck, with 6/1 shot Theoystercatcher another neck behind in third.
Arthur Moore said: “Thank God for that. Gareth gave him a good ride. He’s great value for his 7lb claim. I’d like to give him more opportunities. He said he had plenty of horse coming to the last but he just idled a bit in front.
“He’ll be better on better ground. He’ll mix it over three codes during the summer and we’ll have a bit of fun with him. He’s a summer horse and we might look at an opportunity hurdle over two and a half in Punchestown.”
The Stewards enquired into two separate incidents in the latter stages of this race, the first incident involving Back Off Mate, ridden by G. Malone, placed first and Mighty Whitey, ridden by M.P. Butler, placed second. The second incident closer to the finish involving Mighty Whitey and Theoystercatcher, ridden by P.T. Enright, placed third. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings and took no further action.
The Stewards interviewed G. Malone, rider of Back Off Mate, concerning his use of the whip in latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that G. Malone was in breach of R10(3)(a) by hitting his mount in front of the saddle while the whip was held in the forehand position and R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency. The Stewards cautioned G. Malone having taken his clean previous record into consideration.
The Stewards also interviewed M.P. Butler, rider of Mighty Whitey, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that M.P. Butler was in breach of R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip and consequently cautioned him having taken his clean recent record into consideration.
