Fame And Joy & Sean O'Keeffe nearest© Photo Healy Racing
Fame And Joy the only filly in the 14 strong field, got up on the line to take the Junction Handicap Hurdle.
A winner at Kilbeggan last August, the Jessica Harrington trained six-year-old failed to make an impact on her next four starts, finishing eleventh of sixteen in a valuable Grade B contest at Fairyhouse on her most recent outing.
Taking a drop in class this evening and down to a mark of 115 (from an initial 123), she was sent to post a 12/1 chance.
Settled behind the leaders and pushed along in third from three out, she was ridden before the last and kept on best to lead on the line. Drumbear who led from early, was the one just denied, with this John McConnell trained gelding returned a 4/1 chance under Simon Torrens. Golf Marin who got in as first reserve, was another length-and-a-quarter back in third, with Mark Walsh aboard this Tony Martin trained bay.
"It was a very tough performance from her," O'Keeffe said.
"That trip was plenty short for her and the ground plenty quick. She jumped really well and I got super jumps in the straight. She kept battling.
"She was always going as quick as she wanted to go but they went a good gallop which brought her stamina into play.
"She's improved for the run the last day and going further will bring about more improvement. She just wants the ground safe."
STEWARDS REPORTS
S.D. Torrens, rider of Drumbear (GB) trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right up the straight.
The Stewards interviewed S.D. Torrens, rider of Drumbear (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, S.D. Torrens stated that his mount was hanging the whole way up the straight but admitted that he had miscalculated how many times he had used his whip and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that S.D. Torrens was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended S.D. Torrens for one raceday.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
