Schone Aussicht (Mike O'Connor) leads Clonbury Bridge (Luke Dempsey) home© Photo Healy Racing
Very profitable to follow around Downpatrick in his fledgling career to date, Mike O’Connor added another win at the County Down venue aboard Schone Aussicht in the Toals Bookmakers Rated Novice Hurdle.
It wasn’t as clear cut for the front-running German-import as it had been at Limerick 17 days ago but the Pimlico Racing Ireland-owned and Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old went back-to-back by three parts of a length.
The 7/4 victor had a diminishing margin of superiority from 6/4 favourite Clonbury Bridge at the finish. She did enough though, with the pair clear.
There was a gap of nine lengths back to Copia Verborum in third.
"It was brilliant (her jumping). For a mare that came off the Flat she is just a real natural jumper,” said O’Connor.
"She seemed to do everything very easily there now today."
When asked if she has to make it, he replied: "Not really, she enjoyed herself in Limerick the last day just being out in front. She has plenty of ability but she just seems to like it out in front.
"I got plenty of breathers into her there.
"She is a nice mare and has trained on very well since she came into Henry's. It is early doors with her and she is still fairly unexposed."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Imperial Sachin's trained by Mrs Denise Foster, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Stewards interviewed L.P. Dempsey, rider of Clonbury Bridge, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he had used his whip excessively. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that L.P. Dempsey was in breach of Regulation 10.3 (g) excessive frequency. Having considered his record in this regard the Stewards cautioned L.P. Dempsey on this occasion.
(MG & EM)
