Almadaa and Connor King short head Strategic Heights and Fran Berry with Bubbly Bellini (3rd C/Ps)© Photo Healy Racing
Few know Dundalk as well as Almadaa and on his forty first start at the venue, the Exceed And Excel gelding made it course win number five in the opening Floodlit Friday Nights Handicap under Connor King.
With Majestic Timeline an absentee, Strategic Heights assumed the mantle of hot favouritism.
All seemed to be going to plan, for much of the sprint, for the 5/4 chance, in the hands of Fran Berry, in his first-time cheek-pieces.
Berry did everything he could to get the 'jolly' home, but he was headed on the line by the David Marnane-trained Almadaa. A short head separated them, with just a head to Bubbly Bellini who finished off his race well, in third.
Ado McGuinness, trainer of Bubbly Bellini, also saddled the fourth home, Oor Jock
"He's tough. I was probably in front plenty soon enough but I thought I had to get the revs up on him," reported King.
The Stewards interviewed F.M. Berry, rider of Strategic Heights, placed second, concerning his use of the whip in the closing 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 F.M. Berry was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (g) in that he had used his whip with his arm above shoulder height and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.
(GC & EM)
