Jeremys Jewel leads them home © Photo Healy Racing
Jeremy's Jewel, the 7/4 favourite, sent punters home happy from Killarney after winning the concluding mares' bumper.
The six-year-old made serene progress to assume the lead a furlong and a half out from Via Rosa She then edged over to the rail approaching the final furlong and hampered Via Rosa in doing so.
The stewards called an enquiry after Jeremy's Jewel passed the post a length to the good and the result stood. Runner-up Via Rosa was nicely backed from 13/2 to 9/2. She was two and a half lengths clear of Fizzle Rock at 11/1.
Jockey Barry O'Neill said: “She’s a very nice mare. We always thought a lot of her last year and it took a couple of runs to get her switched off.
“Today suited her and she’s a nice mare to look forward to.”
Paul Nolan 's Jeremys Jewel landed a Wexford bumper in mid-June on her first start since February 2020 (when fifth in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown).
The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the last one and a half furlongs involving Jeremys Jewel, ridden by Mr B. O'Neill, placed first and Via Rosa, ridden by Mr D. O'Connor, placed second, where it appeared that Via Rosa was short of room and the rider had to sit for a number of strides. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence Mr D. O'Connor stated that his mount was staying galloping when Jeremys Jewel came over towards him and both intimidated his mount and took her ground resulting in him having to sit for many strides before switching out to deliver a challenge. Mr B. O'Neill stated that his mount drifted in for a back hander with the whip and in his opinion he thought that he was one length clear but may have misjudged this slightly. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings. They were, however, of the opinion that Mr B. O'Neill had caused interference by riding carelessly and suspended him for two race days having taken his previous record into consideration.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
