Thewesthowaya clears the last at Kilbeggan ahead of Talab© Photo Healy Racing
There was a lengthy delay at the start of the Moate Handicap Hurdle with Alan Crowe injured and his mount Jack The Hat subsequently didn't take part at Kilbeggan.
There was two other withdrawals too, The Boat People seemingly for refusing to line-up and Super Collider (wrong equipment at the start). A false start then put things eight minutes late.
Ultimately out on the track Thewesthowaya saw off Talab by a length and three parts.
Paul Flynn trains Thewesthowaya and he said: "The ground made the difference.
"She'd been running all year on soft ground and you'd have thought that she was no good and wanted six miles!
"Martin Ferris rode her at Roscommon on Monday (4th then) and said that on good ground it would have been a different story. The ground had gone soft after rain there.
"She ran here before but she struggled with her wind on yielding ground.
"He (Shane Butler) gave her a great ride. I'd never used him before."
The Stewards enquired into the application of cheekpieces on Super Collider(GB) trained by Mr John Joseph Hanlon instead of blinkers as declared under rule 194(ii)(c) which necessitated the withdrawal of the animal at the start in accordance with the provisions of the rule.
Mr Hanlon accepted the error and took full responsibility. He added that he saddled two runners in this race and assumed that cheekpieces had been declared as his charge had run too free the last day when fitted with blinkers. He believed that he had told his office yesterday morning the headgear to be declared but now realises that he made a mistake.
Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards severely cautioned Mr Hanlon concerning his responsibilities under rule 148(i).
The Stewards received a report from Mr Patrick Graffin, Turf Club Starter, that B.J. Cooper rider of Taleb(GB) and C.D. Maxwell rider of Houdini Bright (USA) had both disobeyed his instructions and attempted to start before he had mounted his rostrum resulting in the calling of a false start.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the start and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that B.J. Cooper and C.D. Maxwell were in breach of Rule 208(ii)(f) by failing to comply with the instruction of the starter. B.J. Cooper was severely cautioned having taken into consideration his good previous record in this regard. C.D. Maxwell was suspended for 1 raceday having taken into consideration a previous breach in this regard.
(GC & EM)
