Connections of Shabra's Bertolini, left, and House Limit, right© Photo Healy Racing
There was drama at the end of the extended two mile one handicap hurdle in Downpatrick as Shabra’s Bertolini joined House Limit on the line for a dead heat.
House Limit looked to have sealed the victory as he got his head in front on the run, however, Shabra’s Bertolini rallied on his inside and grabbed a share of the spoils under a Brian Hayes drive.
Shabra’s Bertolin attracted some support in the ring from 12s to 9/1 while House Limit went off at 11/1. There was two and a half lengths back to Bye Bye O Bye in third at 11/1. Abu Nayef the well-backed 7/4 favourite from 7/2 in the morning, disappointed in 13th.
House Limit’s trainer John Larkin said: “I’m glad to have dead heated with Oliver Brady. This horse has missed his ground. He’ll be out again over the summer, but will have a couple of weeks off.”
House Limit’s owner Eugene Kavanagh had a further reason to celebrate as his pub, The Gravedigger in Dublin, was voted in as 46th place on the top 50 secret spots for travellers in Europe.
Oliver Brady’s assistant trainer Anthony McCann said of Shabra's Bertolini “I would have settled for a dead heat passing the line. Thank God he has finally done it.”
Shabra Bertolini’s jockey Brian Hayes dropped his whip coming round the home bend and commented: “he responded better to hands and heels.”
STEWARDS REPORT
P. Carberry, rider of Abu Nayef trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made mistakes throughout and that the saddle slipped on his mount in this race.
