Gowran Park Result

See also » Smooth Tom beats Bling for a dramatic late win
he's not fully fit and he said he blew up a furlong down. It's his first run back, he's been away on a break since Punchestown and should improve a good bit. That could leave him right for the Petingo Handicap on Champions Weekend hopefully. I also had in the back of my mind the English Cambridgeshire, he's better on a straight track so a straight mile on soft ground there could suit. The ground would have been plenty quick enough for him there. We'll maybe go for some of those decent handicap hurdles too along the line. we gave him a break after Punchestown because he had been on the go all year. He won his maiden hurdle in Listowel, then won his novice and we kind of had no choice but to keep going in his novice season. We ran him in a Grade 1 when the ground was bottomless in Leopardstown and he actually ran well. He's only back in about seven weeks. Andrew Slattery, trainer

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Smooth Tom, ridden by A.J. Slattery, placed first, and Highland Bling, ridden by K.G. Kennedy, placed second, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. K.G. Kennedy stated that his mount was intimidated from two furlongs out. He further added he was in the gap when he had to take a check and stop riding for six strides which he felt cost him a couple of lengths. A.J. Slattery stated that initially he thought he was clear of Highland Bling when he moved to the rail and that he then eased off on his mount having hit the front

However, under further questioning he accepted he wasn't clear of Highland Bling when making his maneuver. He concluded by stating that the best horse won. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that while Smooth Tom had caused interference to Highland Bling, they were not satisfied that this interference improved his placing so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings

They were, however, of the opinion that A.J. Slattery was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard (first offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended him for two racedays. K.G. Kennedy was accompanied at this enquiry by Mr. Richie Galway

K.G. Kennedy, rider of Highland Bling, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount had to take a check inside the final furlong and stopped riding for six strides.

An extended handicap for three years old and upwards (100 = 10st)
Penalties - (after calculation of the handicap) A winner shall carry 7lb extra for each race won.