Bythesametoken overcomes lengthy absence to take Listowel feature On his first start in 13-months, Bythesametoken sprang a 16/1 surprise in the feature at Listowel, the Kerry Dairy Ireland Handicap Chase. After two false starts, the second of which six runners jumped the first fence, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained victor was settled towards rear when the field were eventually sent on their way. Taking order closer before five out, the Danny Gilligan-ridden 11-year-old made further headway approaching the straight and soon came with his challenge on the outer. In a share of the lead from the usual two out, he was soon engaged in a tussle with Jasko Des Dames and edged by that rival after bypassing the final fence, with two-and-a-quarter lengths between them at the line. The runner-up was returned at 13/2 under Darragh O'Keeffe for Henry de Bromhead, while Battle Of Ridgeway (5/2fav from 6s early) was just a length away in third. "That's great. We had a winner (Howya Luveen) for the boys last Friday as well and the two horses were out in the field together," O'Sullivan said of the Downtown Syndicate-owned victor. "This horse is getting on a little bit but he's been a great old servant. "Rob was humming and hawing during the summer whether to bring him back in or not. We said we'd give him one more go and see if he's showing a bit of spark. "We're getting great craic out of it, for him to come back and show plenty of life. "It means a lot because this is the last horse that their Dad John bought with the lads, he passed away a couple of years ago. He means a lot to them. "Their mother died this year and it's her birthday. There are plenty of tears and emotions. It's lovely. "It's a good start to the week, we'll have a few runners. "He's back in about 14 weeks so there was no chance of getting a prep run really. "The track suit him well, a flat left-handed track, and he's run well here before. "He got a great ride off Danny. I was surprised he was going to do the 10-2 but he was adamant he wanted to ride him. He's a great rider and it was great to have him." STEWARDS REPORTS * Daniel King, rider of Drumgill, trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped the first fence after the false start as he couldn't pull him up. * Darragh O'Keeffe, rider of Jasko Des Dames (FR), trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped the first fence after the false start as he couldn't pull him up. * The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Starter, Mr. B. Hamilton, that Daniel King, rider of Drumgill, Sean Flanagan, rider of Embittered, Darragh O'Keeffe, rider of Jasko Des Dames (FR), Eoin Staples, rider of Dutch Schultz (GB) and Phillip Enright, rider of Battle Of Ridgeway had failed to obey the instructions he was giving in the first false start. Evidence was heard from the starter and riders concerned. Phillip Enright stated that the horses on his outside went forward and he tried to stop his mount. Sean Flanagan stated that the horses on the outside were ahead of them. Daniel King stated that he never instructed his mount to go forward. Eoin Staples stated that he never urged his mount to go forward. Darragh O'Keeffe stated that he was trying to stop his mount and the horses on the outside were ahead of him. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that all riders above were in breach of Rule 208(v)(b). Having considered the clean records of Eoin Staples and Phillip Enright, they suspended them for one raceday. Having considered the records of Daniel King, Sean Flanagan and Darragh O'Keeffe (second offences), they suspended them for two racedays. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
