Sticktotheplan finally comes good Kieren Buckley made a decisive move early on the final circuit aboard Sticktotheplan in the Eamon Foran Memorial Maiden Hurdle and the Great Pretender gelding ultimately had enough in reserve to hold on for the win in Listowel's third event. Previously expensive to follow when a beaten favourite on a couple of occasions, he was in against another that hasn't come up to expectations today, in the shape of Kara Sacre from the Paul Nolan stable. The latter proved more tractable, but no less disappointing than he was when also a defeated market-leader at Down Royal, and Pistocchi gave Cormac Farrell's Sticktotheplan most to do, but the triumphant grey was always likely to keep all comers at bay, and he did so in the end by a length and three parts. "They had a few quid on him the last day when he got turned over at odds-on and today was the first time I've ever seen the horse. Cormac said on the phone that he had plenty of ability but that things hadn't gone his way," revealed Buckley. "The plan today was ride him in behind the leaders and to get him to switched off, but he pulled my hands out. After a circuit I left him stride on and while he also jumped out to his right, he was fast. "It's ironic, as he's called Stickwiththeplan but I threw the plan out the window at halfway. He did a lot wrong, hung right, jumped right and pulled too hard so you'd like to think he has an engine." The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Ballyharney trained by Adrian Murray was found to have blood at both nostrils post race. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Kara Sacre (FR), trained by Paul Nolan, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. J. Smith, rider of Pistocchi (GB), trained by Brian M. McMahon, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was very difficult on the way to the start. (TW & EM)
