Time To Work (nearside) claims Hawk Flight at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Time To Work lived up to his name as he got down to business when it mattered to claim the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal.
The Gordon Elliott-trained juvenile fought it out with Hawk Flight from before the second last but the 5/4 favourite was untidy at the penultimate flight.
He answered the urgings of Emmet McNamara to jump into the lead at the final obstacle, however, and asserted his control on the run-in.
The Hurricane Run gelding scored by a length-and-three-quarters at the line from Hawk Flight. Back To Balloo looked a threat briefly before two out but had to settle for third. Gentle Paddy was the one for money (16/1 in morning into 5/1) but could only finish fourth.
"Emmet gave him a great ride - it's hard for him coming off the Flat with no claim," said Elliott afterwards.
"He didn't mind the ground and will probably stay further. It's great for the Sloans at their local track."
The owners, Pat and Joe Sloan, hail from Templepatrick and have 15 horses in training.
"He ran well first time but the heavy ground got him at Navan," added Joe.
"We also have Shadow Catcher who got bumped in the Triumph and didn't run his race. We'll keep him for Punchestown."
The stewards enquired into the running of The Drunken Dr who finished sixth.
The following is the official report:-
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of The Drunken Dr, ridden by B. Hayes and trained by Mr Niall Moran. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
B Hayes stated that his instructions were to hold onto his mount as long as he could in order that he see out the trip better than he may have done in his previous two hurdle races to date.
He said his mount didn’t travel on the ground early, and may improve for a sounder surface but he held onto him for as long as he could and he saw out the trip well enough. He said he jumped adequately and he didn’t use his whip because he was instructed not to, the horse having shown reluctance in the past when he was hit with the whip.
He felt that had he got after his mount earlier he may not have got home. In hindsight, he felt if he rode stronger hands and heels after the last he may have finished a place closer but no more. He said the horse made a respiratory noise after the last.
Mr Niall Moran confirmed the instructions and explained the background to the horse.
He expressed satisfaction with the ride but felt that his rider may have been stronger hands and heels from the last home. He explained that he was in two minds whether to run horse after the ground changed overnight to soft, but let him take his chance.
The horse has worn blinkers in past but he wanted to let his charge see the hurdles today and left them off, but he may put them on again in future. His immediate plan is to go back to running on the flat in Leopardstown next for the better ground.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that The Drunken Dr was Post Race Normal. Having viewed the video of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations of Mr Niall Moran and severely cautioned B Hayes to be seen to make more effort in future.
Furthermore, the Stewards felt B Hayes was in breach of Rule 213 (ii) in that he failed to report on two separate occasions both at scales on weighing in and afterwards to the Stipendiary Steward anything that may have affected the running of his horse in the race (i.e that his mount made a respiratory noise) and so they suspended him for 1 raceday.
