Bartlemy Boy pleases Barry with gritty performance Bartlemy Boy was off the bridle a long way out in the Beasley Engineering Hunters Chase at Listowel, but responded to pressure to get up close home. The 10/1 shot improved into a keeping-on third at the penultimate fence and kept finding for Johnny Barry before the last. Hunt Away tackled it in front from Heartbreak Weather who made a mistake and soon dropped to third on the run-in as Bartlemy Boy gained second. Hunt Away (13/2) was all out for the line in the closing stages and that combined with Bartlemy Boy grinding into the deficit, saw the latter catch him close home for a half-length success. Heartbreak Weather (16/1) had no more to give almost five lengths further back. Michael 'Trixie' Barry said: "It has been a long year with him and while he won a couple of point-to-points, things didn't go his way in the hunter chases. "He was off the bridle with a circuit to go today so yer man gave him a super ride. He had unseated early on at Killarney in May so possibly had a break, and it is great to win with him in Listowel. "I might be dreaming, but there is a handicap chase at Roscommon for him if he gets a handicap mark, so we'll see how he comes out of this. For a big horse he likes good ground. "We hadn't a bad year in general as he won two point-to-points and I won with another one as well. I only have three or four horses, so it is easy enough to keep us happy!" The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident at the winning post with a circuit to go involving Solitary Man, ridden by Mr J.M. Halford and Hunt Away, ridden by Mr A. Burke-Ott, where it appeared Hunt Away cut across Solitary Man. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Mr J.M. Halford stated that when moving up into the gap Hunt Away leaned in on top of him causing him interference. Mr A. Burke-Ott stated that he was positioned on the rail prior to jumping the fence, his mount went right on landing and initially felt he was clear of Solitary Man when he made his manoeuvre back to the rail. However, having watched the video footage he accepted that he was not clear. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found Mr A. Burke-Ott, was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden improperly and having considered his record in this regard (second offence) they suspended him for nine racedays. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
