Eventual winner Millstream Lady (right) jumps the last alongside Rockbrook (left) and third-placed Halsafari (centre)© Photo Healy Racing
Millstream Lady (9/2) was the promoted winner of Limerick's Garrynacurra Stud Handicap Hurdle today, as the stewards demoted first-past-the-post Rockbrook having caused some interference on the run-in.
Both Millstream Lady and Rockbrook challenged in the home straight and while Rockbrook held a narrow lead early on the run-in, edged left bumping Millstream Lady in the closing stages - with a head separating the pair at the line.
The subsequent stewards' enquiry looked a 50/50 call, with the stewards reversing the result and giving victory to Millstream Lady.
In handicapping terms, there was a neat symmetry to the result as Millstream Lady beat Rockbook by 7.5 lengths to win at Listowel last month and today overcame an 8lb turn-around.
Millstream Lady's trainer Eric McNamara - father of her jockey Conor McNamara, opined “I've felt over the years that the horse who passes the post in front should hold onto the race if possible - as it was always the fairest result, but under these circumstances I definitely believe it was right to amend it.
“We were only beaten a head and the whole way from the last hurdle were shoved right out onto yesterday's ground. We were definitely impeded a lot more than a head and I think we were the best horse on the day.”
Regarding Millstream Lady he added “she loves soft ground and is going the right way. The 9lb penalty for winning at Listowel - compared to the 1lb Rockbook received, put them very close.
“We won't abuse her — she won't run for a month but she'll run for the winter.”
