Hills Of Glory finishes nicely for Donoghue Hills Of Glory (13/8 favourite) climbed the hill in Downpatrick best of all to come home by a length and a-quarter for Gavin Cromwell in the opening maiden hurdle over an extended 2m2f. Eco Pete gave it a good go off the front, but was collared in the closing stages and dropped to third at 16/1. He was half a length behind 7/4 shot Jazz De Cotte. Keith Donoghue said: "It was a competitive little race. He had the experience and he did it well. "We thought he would win but obviously looking on paper, maybe Gordon's horse (Elliott, Jazz De Cotte) might be hard to beat. We probably ran to our rating." On not having a penalty while the second and third carried a penalty for winning a bumper, he added: "It is important for horses off that rating but, if you have won a bumper, you probably should be beating a 105 horse with a penalty. There are a couple of ways of looking at it. "Hopefully he can keep progressing. He will jump a fence, so maybe a rated beginners' (chase) or something like that next might suit him." The Raceday Stewards interviewed Sam Ewing, rider of Jazz De Cotte, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Sam Ewing was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for three racedays.
