Redwood Boy (Katie O'Farrell) leads from his stable companion Baily Sunset (Rachael Blackmore)© Photo Healy Racing
Favourite Cottonvale unseated Barry Geraghty and was briefly loose, and then a false start saw the Sliabh Na mBan Handicap Hurdle go off three minutes after time. John 'Shark' Hanlon was the happiest man after the near two and a half miler at Clonmel as he saddled the first and third home.
The aforementioned Cottonvale came a cropper at the fifth, and the drama wasn't over as we had a steward's enquiry after Redwood Boy came out on top at odds of 33/1 (from 50s) in the hands of Katie O'Farrell.
He drifted away to his left at the business end, doing his stable companion Baily Sunset (6/1) no favours.
After the deliberations in the steward's room Redwood Boy was confirmed the three parts of a length and half length winner over Something Sweet and Baily Sunset.
"The women seem to ride better for me than the men!" quipped Hanlon in the aftermath.
He then explained: "The two horses finished first and third, and at home you'd think there was nothing between them, and there was nothing between them today either.
"I'm delighted for John Sherlock (owner) as he is trying with those horses a long time. He has his job done this evening and I'm absolutely thrilled for him. This horse is entered for the sales at Doncaster and is capable of winning another race."
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Baily Sunset, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, placed third and Redwood Boy, ridden by Katie O'Farrell, placed first.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings.
They were, however, of the opinion that Katie O'Farrell was in breach of Rule 214 in that she had ridden carelessly and having considered her record, suspended her for 1 raceday.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Moll Dote trained by John J. Walsh was found to have pulled a left hind shoe in running.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Ms. Aavena O'Keeffe, that L.P. Gilligan, rider of Rock On Barney had weighed in at 1.2 lbs overweight.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that this was the case.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and having considered his record, cautioned him.
(TW & EM)
