Aesop makes winning start for OTI Racing

Shane Foley delivered Youmzain’s half-brother Aesop nicely down the outer in the final quarter mile to win the Follow @CorkRacecourse On Twitter Handicap for OTI Racing and Jessica Harrington.

There was a nasty incident under two furlongs out here. The chasing in behind Comfort Line came down. Persian Queen was badly hampered and unseated rider. All were reported to be up and relatively okay in the aftermath.

"Thank god everyone got up in the straight - you don't like to see those nasty falls and you don't really enjoy a winner when you see that happen,” said Mrs Harrington’s daughter Kate.

From the back Aesop got there in time to beat Aiseirigh and Zozimus by half a length and the same. Fil The Power and Starting Monday were just a head and a short head off in fourth and fifth.

"It is great to get his head in front and OTI Racing have bought him over the winter," further explained Kate.

"Shane said that's his minimum distance and he was only doing his best work at the end. He is exciting an one for those staying handicaps going forward.

"He has physically developed into himself and had a gelding operation over the winter and that has helped him."

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Comfort Line, ridden by D. McMonagle, Aiseirigh, ridden by K.J. Manning, Persian Queen, ridden by W.M. Lordan and Out On Friday ridden by K.J. Leonard, where it appeared Comfort Line came down and Persian Queen unseated her rider. D. McMonagle reported that his mount clipped a heel and came down. K.J. Manning reported that his mount was struck into from behind coming down the straight. W.M. Lordon reported that he was brought down in the straight. K.J. Leonard reported that there was no movement from his horse and he felt he wasn't a factor. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the reports, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

K.J. Manning, rider of Aiseirigh trained by J. S. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was struck into from behind coming down the straight.

(TW & EM)