In-form Rocky's Howya brings up his hat-trick Declan Queally's Rocky's Howya has been enjoying himself in claiming hurdles, but rallied for victory over the bigger obstacles in the veterans handicap chase at Limerick. He adopted his customary front-running tactics, but was definitely headed between the final two fences by West Cork Wildway who appeared to be travelling the better. Rocky's Howya got back on terms in jumping the last, though, jumped it notably well and landed in stride as he quickly went on from West Cork Wildway. The latter came back at him, but Rocky's Howya took the honours by three-quarters of a length under Kevin Healy to reward favourite backers at 8/11. West Cork Wildway was booked for the runner-up berth at 10/1 with Casey West a length and a-half away in third at 7/1. Healy said: "He probably wasn't as good as at Naas the last day, but was very good and tough. He jumped out where I wanted, he never missed a beat and while I got headed, he was very quick over the second-last and last. "He is so genuine and I knew if I kept at him going down to the last, that he'd be there with a shout and thankfully he was. "He has been a really good horse for my career and is a bit of a legend. Everyone dreams of a horse like him and Dec (Queally jnr) and all the lads do a great job. David Kiely (owner) is a lovely man to ride a winner for." This brought up a hat-trick for Rocky's Howya after claiming hurdle victories in Limerick and Naas. The Raceday Stewards interviewed Kevin Healy, rider of Rocky's Howya, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Kevin Healy accepted he was in breach of R.10.3(h)(arm above shoulder height) but not R.10.3(g)(frequency) as he felt he had hit the rail and not his mount on at least one occasion. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found Kevin Healy was in breach of R.10.3(g)and R.10.3(h)and in considering his record in regards to R.10.3(g)(second offence) they suspended him for four race days and in regards to R.10.3(h) (second offence) they suspended him for four race days. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
