Flyer prevails under globetrotting Flanagan in incident-packed affair With the globetrotting Sean Flanagan aboard, Ashdale Flyer sprang a 33/1 surprise in an incident-packed Treo Eile Beginners Chase. Arriving home from Australia this morning, Flanagan’s mount was hampered by the fall of Hms Seahorse (2/1f) at the third. Running loose, that Paul Nolan-trained chestnut later just avoided the leaders when running across in front of them approaching the straight and then badly hampered Speculatrix before two out. Avoiding the drama, the Jessica Harrington-trained victor was soon ridden in second and chased down West Away, who wasn’t fluent at the last, on the run-in, with a length between them at the line. The runner-up was returned at 6/1 under Keith Donoghue for his brother Ian, while the aforementioned Speculatrix (9/4) was a further 12-lengths back in third. "I nearly fell off her when Hms Seahorse fell. I kind of ducked away from him and was hanging on for dear life,” Flanagan, who finished fourth in the Australian Grand National Hurdle at Sandown, on Sunday, remarked. "I thought she jumped marginally better on her first run over fences, but they went a gallop that day and things evened out a little bit more and she got into a nicer rhythm. "Today it didn't, and it was a little bit back and forward and it took me a little while to get into that rhythm. "When they picked up, I wasn’t really quick enough to go with them. The loose horse interfered with them more than he did me. I finished off strong. "I could see the loose horse coming and for a second, I thought is he going to take the two of them out and I’ll be left here on my own! As I said he probably interfered more with them than me and I was the stronger finisher anyway. "It's worked out well. I wouldn't have ridden for Jessie much and it’s great to ride a winner for her." STEWARDS REPORT J.W. Kennedy, rider of Speculatrix (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount clipped heels with the loose horse turning for home. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
