Afatcat bounces back to his best

The Stephen Mahon trained Afatcat bounced back to his best to land the Coral.ie Bet 5 Get 20 In Free Bets On Euro 2016 Handicap Hurdle.

A winner of one race for the last three years, the eight-year-old son of Araafa finished down the field on his first three starts of 2016.

Sent off a 16/1 chance this evening, the John McGrath owned bay was settled towards rear by Ger Fox.

He made good progress around the outer approaching the straight, and hit the front after two out, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths. Caridadi (14/1), who was hampered by the winner close home, finished second under Roger Loughran for John Morrison, while Copy Print (13/2 to 5/1 on-course) kept on well to take third, a length and three parts back, under Adrian Heskin for John Joe Walsh. Flaviana and Crown Theatre were sent off the 4/1 joint-favourites and they finished fourth and seventh respectively.

Stephen Mahon said afterwards: "This is a grand horse but was disappointing on his comeback run.

"My horses had been running flat though and we did every test but everything came back clean. They had been working as well as ever but were just running bad.

"I'd like to run him (Afatcat) over the fences at Liverpool some time in a race like the Topham."

STEWARDS REPORT

T. Ryan, rider of Aonvarr trained by Stephen Ryan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mounts saddle slipped.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference after jumping the last hurdle involving Afatcat (GB), ridden by G.N. Fox, winner and Caridadi, ridden by R. Loughran, placed second, where it appeared Caridadi suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that while interference did take place, the winner did not improve his finishing position as a result of the interference and so they made no alteration to the judges' placings. They were however of the opinion G.N. Fox was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having taken his good record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes