Sydney Paget and Roger Quinlan at the head of affairs© Photo Healy Racing
Beyonce's to the left to the left lyrics could have been scripted with the Uni-Flu Supporting Ratoath GAA Joseph R. O'Reilly Hunters Chase in mind. The field followed the leaders by jumping to the left at several fences but the real drama was to occur at the final obstacle. Dantes King and Roderic Kavanagh took over from the strongly-backed favourite Sydney Paget at the second last.
It then seemed a case of barring accidents, but the Ross O'Sullivan-trained Dantes King jumped to the left at the last and then edged in that direction on landing.
Sydney Paget and Roger Quinlan were soon back in front, and they went on to gain the day by two and a quarter lengths from their unfortunate opponent.
Pat Doyle trains Sydney Paget for American-based Roger O'Byrne, and the County Tipperary-handler said: "Ideally he needs to go left-handed, and he was losing lengths at each fence. We may wait and see if we get some rain at Killarney in May. Stratford is another option.
"He's been a star since he came into our place last September. He's an absolute gent of a horse, and I'd love another few like him."
The Stewards received a report from P.W. Murtagh , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Mr R. Kavanagh , rider of Dantes King , weighed out at 3 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he had misread his scales at home but either way he was riding at his minimum weight. He added that this animal was a family owned horse that he had previously ridden to success. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr R. Kavanagh was in breach of Rule 198 and they therefore fined him €150. Furthermore the Stewards allowed him to ride Dantes King.
The Stewards interviewed Mr S. Cavanagh, rider of Faith Keeper 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 Mr S. Cavanagh was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency, R10(3)(g) by using his whip with his arm above shoulder height and R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. The Stewards consequently suspended Mr S. Cavanagh for 2 racedays having taken his good previous record into consideration and furthermore ordered that he attend R.A.C.E for 1 days tuition on the correct use of the whip.
(AM & EM)
