River Vale strikes for Winters & Fitzgerald The winner of a point-to-point earlier in his career, River Vale registered a first track win in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase. A good fourth when last seen at Listowel, with plenty of winners subsequently emerging from that contest, the Mick Winters-trained nine-year-old was sent off a 7/1 chance this afternoon (touched 14s early). Always prominent under Shane Fitzgerald, the 100-rated bay was in front from six out, but was ridden and joined by Smallcraftwarning on the long run to the last. Battling back gamely, the successful son of Mahler regained an outright advantage away from that obstacle, keeping on well in the closing stages to prevail by a length in the colours of the Down To The Alley Syndicate. Filling the runner-up spot for the third time in-a-row, Smallcraftwarning was returned a 9/2 joint-favourite under Eoin Staples for John Ryan. The front pair drew 14-lengths clear of Stily (17/2) in third, while Game And Glory (33/1) was fourth. Successful at Sligo earlier in the month, The Striker Dylan was the other joint-favourite and he finished fifth. "I was delighted with his fourth at Listowel and A Nod To Getaway (earlier winner) finished third in that race," Winters reflected. "It is great to give Shane Fitz a winner as he made horses for us but is often behind Darragh O'Keeffe and Gavin Brouder on some of our horses. He is a great jockey and is a big asset as he carries no lead. "I was a bit concerned about the ground but the horse jumped well. "The late Trevor Hemmings, who was actually a great man, came looking for a good horse some years ago and I told him that this horse would be buried on the land. He bought him but was buried himself only a fortnight later and they left us the horse. "Trevor was kind to people and horses and this was nice to win for him and also for the horse's part-owner Tim Cremin whose son Sean isn't too well. This is very special for a lot of reasons." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Diamonds Diva trained by Patrick Cronin had blood at both nostrils post race. * The Raceday Stewards fined John G. Carr, trainer E65 for failing to fit the declared tongue strap to Fr Gilligansvoyge (GB) prior to entering the parade ring. * Kevin A Murphy, rider of Diamonds Diva, trained by Patrick Cronin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
