Monvoe strikes for Roche & Cody Drifting from early shows of 8/1, the easy-to-back Monvoe made the breakthrough in the second divide of the Mr Binman Handicap. Returned at 22/1 and a runner-up on his two most recent starts at Dundalk, the Ray Cody-trained three-year-old soon raced in mid-division under Leigh Roche. Getting a dream run through on the inner approaching the straight, the Claire O'Donovan-owned bay was pushed along to lead with a furlong and a half to go. Finding generously for pressure in the closing stages, he ultimately came home a length-and-a-half to the good, with David Marnane's Amemri (6/1) finishing well down the outer to fill the runner-up spot. A 14/1 chance, Minaun View was another length-and-a-half away in third, while the well-backed Smithfield (9/2f from 14s) finished fourth. "He is my first winner of the season and my horses have just been slow to come to hand. Their coats are slow to come but he is one whose coat has come and his work had been good. If my horses were in better form, I'd have fancied him more," Cody reflected. "I'm delighted with him as that's the first time he has raced properly, as last year he was very immature and thought he was quicker than he was, and wasn't doing things right. "Leigh gave him a lovely ride and while I was worried about the ground, he went through it well. He is a really good looking horse and this is his first time over a mile. "I only ever have ten horses in training, I have five for the Flat and five jumpers now and I'll have plenty of those to run soon." STEWARDS REPORT * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident turning into the home straight involving Minaun View (GB), ridden by J. Cleary, placed third, Mythical Rock, ridden by P.A. Harnett, unplaced, Bear Right, ridden by K.G. Kennedy, unseated, and Monvoe, ridden by L.F. Roche, placed first, where it appeared Bear Right unseated his rider. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. J. Cleary stated that things got tight on the bend but that he straightened his mount and left room for the horses around him. P.A. Harnett stated that when things became tight his mount lost his hind end and edged out. K.G. Kennedy stated that he felt pressure from both the inside and the outside but maintained his racing line but clipped a heel unseating him. L.F. Roche stated that he made his challenge on the rail but there was plenty of room and he had not contributed to the incident. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards accepted that congestion had taken place at the point of the bend but were satisfied that P.A. Harnett, was in breach of Rule 214 (careless riding) in that he had failed to make sufficient effort to avoid causing interference to Bear Right. Having considered his clean record in this regard they suspended him for three racedays. Having been informed of the nature of the enquiry and their right to be accompanied, the apprentices' elected to proceed without accompaniment. * P.A. Harnett, rider of Mythical Rock, trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lost his hind legs turning in. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
