Galon De Vauzelle (nearest) gets up on the line to beat Park Hind© Photo Healy Racing
Jack Foley got Galon De Vauzelle up on the line to take the feature at Ballinrobe this evening, the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle.
A winner over the course and distance in May of last year, the Philip Rothwell trained six-year-old slipped up early on his most recent visit to the Co Mayo venue.
He was since well-beaten at Listowel and was sent off at 7/1 this evening, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.
Settled in rear, the Kap Rock gelding made progress before three out and still travelled nicely in third on the approach to the last.
Soon ridden, he really got going from the furlong pole and led in the final stride, with just a nose the winning margin. Park Hind (16/1) was the one just denied, with Charlie O'Dwyer aboard this 16/1 chance for Andrew Lynch. Story Rory who was successful over the course and distance in May, was sent off the 2/1 favourite and he was another four-and-a-half lengths back in third.
Rothwell said in the aftermath: "We've had six or seven seconds in the last four or five weeks. The horses are running well but we'd a great run last year in handicaps but they all went up as a result, so we've been struggling a little bit to get anything over the line.
"Tom Doran (winning owner) has been a huge supporter of mine for the last 18 months and this horse won for him here last year. He's bought one or two new horses for the winter which is a huge help to me going forward. To get a winner for him here today is hugely important.
"We might come back here next month and, ultimately, he'll go jumping a fence.
"He slipped up here on the flat at the last meeting and probably got a harder fall than I thought at the time. He didn't really fire at Listowel a few days later. That's why I put cheekpieces on him today, just to help him get a bit of confidence back, and they'll probably come off in the future.
"Jack (Foley) comes into me a day a week and that's our first winner together. Himself and James O'Sullivan will ride most of mine and it's great to have them on my side."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed J.B. Foley, rider of Galon De Vauzelle (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, J.B. Foley admitted that he had breached the whip guidelines. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that J.B. Foley was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended J.B. Foley for seven racedays.
The Stewards requested a report from P.J. Rothwell, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Galon De Vauzelle (FR), placed first, as compared with its recent run at Listowel on the 6th June when finishing eighth of ten finishers beaten fifty three lengths by the winner Molly Wedger. P.J. Rothwell reported that his charge had slipped up seven days previously at Ballinrobe and on returning quickly to Listowel, he ran a disappointing race. He added that his charge was freshened up following that run, wore cheek pieces today and also appreciated the ground conditions. He expressed the animals liking for Ballinrobe having won here previously. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
