Royal Aide and Denis Hogan (nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
Hat-trick seeker Arizona Flyer refused to cooperate at the start and had to be withdrawn as the Follow Kilbeggan On Twitter Handicap Hurdle produced a bookmaker friendly result with 28/1 chance Royal Aide leading them home for trainer/rider Denis Hogan.
Off a 102 day break the top-weight led home fellow outsiders, Lily Light Foot (20/1) and Zaccarela (22/1) by two lengths and a length and three quarters.
“I didn't think we went a mad gallop but he was just loving it,” said Hogan.
“He's a horse that's after dropping down the handicap a little. We tried him in a bit of headgear working at home and it seemed to work well.
“He enjoyed it today and surprised me really. I'm not sure where we'll go but we might look at the three-mile handicap hurdle in Galway.”
R.A. Doyle, rider of Eversosaucy trained by Conor O'Dwyer, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost her action after a mistake at the fourth last and was pulled up thereafter.
The Stewards informed Michael Winters, trainer of Arizona Flyer, that a repeat performance of his charge who refused to line up at the start, and was subsequently withdrawn by order of the stewards, would render his charge liable to future sanction.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Son Of Mahler trained by Kieran Purcell had lost a right front shoe.
The Stewards enquired into an incident before crossing the roadway on the final circuit involving Broomfields Kan ridden by L.P. Dempsey, Emma Prada ridden by Mr J.L. Scallan, and Lily Light Foot, ridden by N. Terrassin, where it appeared that Broomfields Kan ran short of room on the rails and checked.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
L.P. Dempsey stated that he had made the running and was off the bridle after the second last hurdle before the horse in front rolled in on top of him. N. Terrassin stated that he did not receive any interference. J.L. Scallan stated that coming around the bend he attempted to take off his goggles, which he removed shortly afterwards, and in doing so bumped the horse on his inside. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.L. Scallan was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards cautioned J.L. Scallan on this occasion.
(GC & EM)
