Kate Ill Know, left, sees off Coconut Tudor© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Kate Ill Know was driven out to score at 28/1 in division two of the maiden hurdle in Clonmel.
The Golan mare raced prominently under Brian Hayes and she closed in third behind Close Enough and odds on favourite Three By Two after the third last.
There were four horses in a line turning for home as Ricky Bobby also moved into contention on the outer.
Three By Two and Close Enough dropped away in the final quarter of a mile as Kate Ill Know led narrowly from Ricky Bobby.
Ricky Bobby got his nose in front jumping the second last as Coconut Tudor moved into third. 3/10 favourite Three By Two made a shuddering mistake there when beaten in fourth.
Kate Ill Know gamely stuck to her task and rallied to regain the lead between the final couple of hurdles.
Ricky Bobby gave best on the run-in, however, Coconut Tudor (40/1) landed full of running and served it up to the leader in the closing but she fended him off by three parts of a length. Ricky Bobby finished three and a half lengths away in third at 9/1.
Trainer Denise O'Shea said: "I only have her since August - she hasn't had any problems and to be fair with the age on her side, she was tough there today.
"The owners bred her and they always like to give them time and she has never had any trouble and is a gem of a mare.
"She was never going to go point-to-pointing but for the last six weeks I've been trying to get her into a maiden, so she was obviously fit and swims a lot at Ronan Barry's, who has a great facility at Rathcormac.
"Tina Condon, who led her up, does a fantastic job riding her and it is great to see Brian (Hayes) doing so well this year as he is fantastic and has been a very underrated jockey for so long.
"One of the owners' daughters is named Kate and they go to Kate for information and she is rarely wrong - that's where she gets her name."
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Kate Ill Know, ridden by B. Hayes, placed first and Coconut Tudor, ridden by B.J. Foley, placed second, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. B. J. Foley stated that he had received a bump and intimation from the winner and he felt it may have cost him some ground but he did not have to stop riding and he was unsure if it had affected the placings. B. Hayes accepted that his mount had drifted left but was not aware that there was any contact between him and the second horse. He added that he had his whip in the correct hand and was doing his best to keep his mount straight. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judge's placings and took no further action.
The Stewards enquired into an incident on the turn into the home straight involving Close Enough, ridden by M. Hamill, placed fourth and Three By Two, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, unplaced, where it appeared that Close Enough ran short of room and had to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. M. Hamill stated that his mount had been very keen and then gotten tired and was unable to hold onto its position on the rail. Rachael Blackmore stated her mount was still green and drifted into the rail as she passed the horse on her inner. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that any interference caused was accidental in nature and they took no further action.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Close Enough, ridden by M. Hamill, and trained by B.J.Hallahan. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. M. Hamill, stated that his instructions were to drop in and get his mount to settle. He added that the pace of the race steadied a lot shortly after they jumped off and his mount became very keen as a result. Furthermore, he stated that his mount refused to settle and then got very tired and received interference turning into the straight. B.J.Hallahan, confirmed the instructions given and added that his charge may have finished closer if she had not been so keen throughout and then suffering interference turning in. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Close Enough was post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations given and took no further action other than to remind M. Hamill to be seen to make more effort in the closing stages.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
