Puturhandstogether lands Cesarewitch gamble under McCullagh Turned out again quickly after finishing second in the Lartigue at Listowel on Thursday, Puturhandstogether landed a gamble in the feature Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch. Getting in as second reserve, the Joseph O'Brien-trained four-year-old was as big as 22/1 in early shows for this ultra-competitive 30-runner heat, eventually going off a 7/1 joint-favourite in the colours of JP McManus. Ridden by weighroom stalwart Niall McCullagh, the Caravaggio four-year-old raced in mid-division and made good progress on the outer from the three-furlong pole. Sweeping to the front with a furlong to go, the 82-rated bay quickly skipped clear and while his advantage was diminished in the closing stages, he held on well to score by half-a-length. After meeting with some trouble in running, Chally Chute (66/1) powered home inside the final furlong, but ultimately couldn't reel the winner in and had to settle for the runner-up berth. Returned at 25/1, Queenstown was two-and-three-quarters of a length back in third, while the ever popular Lord Erskine (25/1) came from the clouds to finish a never nearer fourth. Scott McCullagh, son of the winning rider, finished fifth aboard Dawn Rising, while Nurburgring, who was the other joint-favourite, faded badly in the straight and trailed home in 25th. "That's my third time to win the race. I won it a long time ago for PJ Finn on Marlion (in 1989) and again for John Oxx five years later on Elupa, so it’s a long time between drinks!" McCullagh reflected. "When I saw the second reserve not jocked up this morning I rang Tooler (agent Ciaran O'Toole) and he called me back to say you can ride it if it gets in. I didn't even have a ride here today." On his role as a jockey’s coach, he said: "I have about 40 young riders on my books, and I have a great relationship with a lot of them. I'm here for reassurance if things go pear-shaped and I'm always there for advice as I've seen it all. I've seen the highs and the lows, the injuries and things going wrong. "It's going well and is something to look forward to in the future when I do hang up my boots. I'm 56 and still enjoying riding. "Scott was riding in the race and finished fifth." O'Brien, who was completing a double, added: "He got a great spot from the draw (stall 30) and he minded him into the race. He's a tricky horse but Niall gave him a lovely ride and it's a great pot to win. "He had a bit of look around after he hit the front but that's him. He's not the simplest horse to get right and he was against the odds for things to go right from that draw. Niall was very kind on him, and he settled well for him. "He ran great in Listowel and bounced out of the race well so we figured we'd let him take his chance. "He could go for a nice handicap hurdle in Leopardstown. He doesn't want the ground too soft." STEWARDS REPORTS * Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. Brendan Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles and 80 yards, due to operational reasons. * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Chally Chute, ridden by S. Coen, placed second, Dawn Rising, ridden by S.T. McCullagh, placed fifth, and Plontier (FR), ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed tenth, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. S. Coen said he went for a gap but it closed as he was getting into it. S.T. McCullagh said he mount got pressure from his right when Chally Chute made contact with his mounts hind quarters. J.A. Heffernan said he kept his line. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action. * Sam Coen, rider of Chally Chute, trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that he took a precautionary check after a couple of furlongs when it got tight in front of him. * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident at around the four furlong marker involving Aeronautic, ridden by M.W. Hassett, and Falcon Eight, ridden by C.D. Hayes, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. W. Hassett said he edged out but wasn't aware of Falcon Eight on his outer. C.D. Hayes said he had to take a slight check when Aeronautic moved left. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action other than to remind M.W. Hassett to be more aware of the horses around him in future. * Chris Hayes, rider of Falcon Eight, trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was struck into turning in. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Nurburgring, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
