Lass proves game to follow-up on Gowran win The easy-to-back Casheldale Lass defied a 12lb rise for her breakthrough win at Gowran, as she battled gamely to beat the well-supported Lisnadill in the Gener8 Engineering Handicap. As short as 7/4 in early shows for this mile-and-a-quarter contest, the Andrew Kinirons bay proved friendless with punters and was eventually returned at 11/2. Settled in second before improving to dispute the lead approaching the straight, the successful daughter of Raven's Pass soon gained a narrow advantage under Robbie Colgan. Ridden and strongly pressed from the two-furlong pole, she was joined by the aforementioned Lisnadill (18/5f from 9s early) with a furlong to go, but battled on tenaciously in the closing stages to beat that Andy Oliver-trained market leader by a neck. The front pair were two-and-a-half lengths clear of Vervain in third, with this one returned at 18/1 under Gary Carroll. "We're delighted with that. I think she improved a lot from the last day and learned a lot," Kinirons remarked. "I think this track suited her better, a big galloping track, and Robbie gave her a great ride, he knows her. "She didn't win as far today so hopefully the handicapper will give her a chance. She's progressed. She's honest but she's not overly big. She's tough and it's a good family. "Her full-brother (Casheldale Lad) is going for the Galway Hurdle, we sold him after he won first time out. "It's great for the lads, Sean and Gary (Murphy), as they are local and they bred her. "She's starting at the bottom and hopefully she can keep doing it. We might go to Galway with her. It would be nice for the two full siblings to be running in Galway. "She schools very well, she's a brilliant jumper, and she'll be a dual purpose horse." STEWARDS REPORTS * J. Kearney, rider of Blackjack Hills, trained by Matthew J. Smith, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away and hung right. * D.P. McDonogh, rider of Miss Americana (GB), trained by Charles O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lugged left in the straight. * The Raceday Stewards interviewed Alyse Jane Clarke, rider of Churchill Gale, concerning her use of the whip in the home straight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that her filly can be lazy on the track and was hoping she would latch on to the group before the furlong pole. She further added she put down the whip from one furlong out. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards gave Alyse Jane Clarke the benefit of the doubt on this occasion. * Following a report from the IHRB Veterinary Officer , the Raceday Stewards wished to interview R.C. Colgan concerning his use of the whip in this race. However, as R.C. Colgan was unavailable at the relevant time, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter on to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
