Celtic Druid provides Tormey with a third success Celtic Druid provided Sadhbh Tormey with a third success in the Willie Buckley Memorial Apprentice Handicap. Successful at Bellewstown last summer, the Tom McCourt-trained five-year-old had failed to make a significant impact in recent starts, and was available at 16/1 in early shows for this mile-and-a-half heat. Eventually returned a 12/1 chance, the 48-rated son of Churchill soon tracked the leaders on the outer and was poised to challenge on the approach to the straight. Pushed along and edging to the front from the two-furlong pole, he found plenty when ridden and ultimately came home a length-and-a-half to the good. Eamonn O'Connell's Captain Hanley (7/1) filled the runner-up spot under Conor Cusack, while Deluca Chop (5/1) was a short head away in third. Successful here on his penultimate start, Without Love was returned the 10/3 favourite and he finished just behind the principals in fourth. "The last two runs he had at the backend there were probably a bit sharp for him at a mile and a-quarter on that surface," McCourt reflected. "She gave him a peach of a ride. She took a good hold of him early on and he enjoyed every bit of it. Sadhbh rides very well and that's her third winner, first for me. She's with me and she has got good experience up here over the winter. Definitely (get opportunities in the new Flat season) and she has a good head on her. "Sadhbh rode him in Bellewstown over a mile-and-a-half and he didn't get home on the soft. "Last week the idea was to go over hurdles to give him a spin or two over them, but I wouldn't run him when the ground was too heavy for him. It would only pull the guts out of him. "We'll see how he is and, on the back of that, we might come back up here for another one. We'll try and mix it (summer jumping). He's not a big, scopey horse, but around the summer tracks he will be fine." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards granted a request from Sean Byrne, trainer of Disco Boy, for an additional ten minutes to present his charge for identification by an IHRB Official in accordance with Rule 90(i). * The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident approaching the first bend involving Rushford (GB), ridden by H.J. Horgan, and Deep Vein, ridden by Emily Grifferty, where it appeared Rushford ran short of room momentarily. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. * Reese Holohan, rider of Deluca Chop (FR), trained by S.M.Duffy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly left up the straight. * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the home straight involving Midnight Stagger, ridden by Brandon Wilkie, Jurality (GB), ridden by J. Kearney, and My Vonnie, ridden by P.A. Harnett where it appeared My Vonnie ran short of room momentarily. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. P.A. Harnett stated that his mount was going backwards and he took a precautionary check. Brandon Wilkie stated that he took back off heels and his mount moved right half a stride more than he wanted but he corrected him immediately. J. Kearney stated that he was brought across slighty but did his best to keep straight. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
