Coleman back on top at Ballybrit Registering his first win as a trainer at Ballybrit, Kevin Coleman claimed the concluding McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap with Thatwilldoso. All of 18 years on from his Galway Plate success on Sir Frederick, the Tipperary based handler has been going from strength to strength since taking out his licence in 2018. Following-up on a Roscommon win, the Rory Cleary-ridden four-year-old was upped in trip today, tackling this near mile-and-a-half trip for the first time. Sent to post a 10/1 chance, the Berkshire bay raced in mid-division and was a bit short of room with over two-furlongs to go. Soon pushed along and ridden in fifth entering the straight, she came through to challenge Burren Song inside the final 150 yards and edged by that rival in the closing stages, with half-a-length between them at the line. The Ciaran Murphy-trained runner-up was returned an easy-to-back 25/1 chance (10s early), with Navy Waters (11/1) another two-and-three-quarters of a length away in third. The favourite in early shows, Alpha Capture (5/1) was fourth, while the well-backed Positive Energy (9/2f from 18s early) could only manage eighth. "She was in very good form coming here but with the 'Galway factor' we didn't know, and then I saw her dropping back through the field, but she obviously came around them again," Coleman reflected. "We always wanted to go this far with her but this is the first opportunity to run her over this trip and she stayed at it well. "They all give them good rides when they win but it was a very good ride and he is a very good rider around here. "I never come here (to Galway) and this is only my third runner as a trainer here. It is a place I wouldn't come to unless you have a chance and we knew she had a chance, so this is great. "I would say my last winner here was on Sir Frederick." Cleary was recording his second winner of the week, having partnered Summer Snow to victory on Tuesday. STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the home bend involving Impero, ridden by G.F. Carroll, unplaced, and Thatwilldoso, ridden by R.P. Cleary where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. G.F. Carroll said he didn't feel much interference. R.P. Cleary said went for a gap on his outer and thought he was clear of Impero. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action other than to advise R.P. Cleary to be more aware in future when making a maneuvre. * J.M. Sheridan, rider of Luker's Tipple, trained by Andrew Kinirons, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got struck into about five furlongs from home. The Raceday Stewards reviewed the matter and were satisfied that no further action was warranted. * D.P. McDonogh, rider of First Ascent, trained by Matthew J. Smith, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stumbled out of stalls. * Adam Caffrey, rider of Catena Zapata, trained by Ian Patrick Donoghue, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran very free. * K.G. Kennedy, rider of Gangster Granny, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slow away from the stalls and leaned right throughout. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
