Murray treble denied by well-timed McDonogh ride While treble seeking Adrian Murray saddled three of the five for the Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Race, it was the Joseph O'Brien-trained Cee En Gee who just came out on top. Successful over a mile on debut last month, the winning son of No Nay Never was widely expected to follow-up this evening, going off the clear favourite at 4/7 (11/10 early) in the colours of Philip Antonacci. With Ze Do Asfalto soon blazing a trail out in front, Declan McDonogh was content to settle the market leader in second. Closing on the leader approaching the straight, he switch to the nearside and was ridden over a furlong from home, getting up in the final strides to deny the aforementioned front-runner by a neck. The runner-up was returned at 7/1 under Seamie Heffernan, with Gran Habano (15/2), also trained by Adrian Murray, another length and a quarter back in third. "Tonight was a different ball game because we were coming back a furlong and the pace was on," McDonogh reflected. "It was a bit of a shock to him and I didn't want to go chasing Seamie (on Ze Do Asfalto) in the first quarter of a mile. "I just let him get comfortable and control the race where I was, and hoped that he (Ze Do Asfalto) would come back to me a little bit. "He showed a great will to win, got stuck in. He wouldn't know much, only his second run. "Obviously, a mile plus is going to be ideal for him. When he can do that over seven (furlongs), it's a sign of a good horse." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Queens Fury (FR), trained by Adrian Murray, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Cee En Gee, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed first, and Ze Do Asfalto, ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed second, where it appeared there was slight contact between the two. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. J.A. Heffernan stated that he received a slight bump about two strides before the line and that it didn't cost him the race. D.P. McDonogh stated that he just leaned in on J.A. Heffernan two strides before the line. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and were satisfied that no further action was warranted. * The Raceday Stewards interviewed D.P. McDonogh, rider of Cee En Gee, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that D.P. McDonogh was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for two racedays. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
