The Truant with happy connections© Photo Healy Racing
The Truant continued the good run of form for the Peter Fahey yard, as he registered his first career success in the last at Sligo this evening, the Rockshore Cider Handicap.
Fahey had a memorable week at Galway, saddling four winners, while he earlier hit the crossbar with Disco Boots in the Connacht Oaks.
Campaigned over flights through the winter, The Truant returned to action in a Corinthian Challenge Race at the Curragh last month, finishing second to Takarengo.
Sent off at 10/1 this evening, the grey five-year-old raced mainly in third under Sam Ewing and was pushed along to lead on the approach to the straight.
Ridden over a furlong from home, he soon increased his advantage and was eased in the closing stages, coming home three lengths to the good. Barometer who was sent off the 3/1 favourite, had to settle for second under Colin Keane for John Murphy, while the front-running Beer With The Boys (7/2) was another two lengths back in third.
It was a first winner for Ewing since returning from injury. His last winner came aboard Ambitious Fellow, also for Peter Fahey, at the Punchestown Festival in April.
The Co Antrim native fractured his pelvis from a fall at Down Royal in early May and only returned to action late last month.
"The boys only bought into the horse last week and it's great to get a return for them straightaway," Fahey said.
"There should be another couple in him and he has a nice mark over hurdles as well.
"Ground doesn't really matter to him but he'd a good run over hurdles on heavy ground at Christmas and that gave us a bit of confidence coming here today."
The Tar Melting & Cuckoo Singing Syndicate are from Roscommon.
STEWARDS REPORTS
Following a request from the Clerk of the Course, Ms. T. O'Meara, the Stewards granted permission for the distance of this race to be extended by 30 yards owing to the course alignment.
The Stewards enquired into an incident at the bend soon after the start involving Beer With The Boys (GB), ridden by D. McMonagle, and She's Good Company ridden by C.J. MacRedmond where it appeared that She's Good Company checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence C.J. MacRedmond stated that his mount has a high head carriage and changed her legs at the point where Beer With The Boys was moving towards the running rail. He added that he did not check his mount as he had no reason to do so. D. McMonagle stated that he had left room on his inner when racing to the bend and when nobody took that ground, he moved inwards when, in his opinion, he was clear of She's Good Company. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found that D. McMonagle was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards suspended him for one raceday. Furthermore, the Stewards advised C.J. MacRedmond concerning the accuracy of his evidence.
J. Coen, rider of Gracesolution trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount did not handle today's going.
C.J. MacRedmond, rider of She's Good Company trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
