"All about next year" for Fight Zone after breakthrough win

Always to the fore on the far-side from his rail-side draw in one, Fight Zone (85/40 second favourite) put his experience to good use in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden at Naas.

Colin Keane edges ever closer to Shane Foley at the top of the jockey’s standings (68 now plays 63) and he triumphed on this fourth time out son of War Front for Wendy O’Leary and Ger Lyons.

Favourite Hype was the one to give him most to do but Fight Zone toughed it out by half a length, with three parts of a length to Preamble in third.

Glenburnie representative Shane Lyons said:- “It was overdue. He's a fine big horse but he's just very immature and he'll be a fine three-year-old.

“He loved that ground but he's just looking around and being very green with Colin there in the first part of the race.

“When the penny drops and he fills into his frame, it's all about next year with him.

“At the start of the race he wasn't helping him but he actually helped him at the end. He has plenty of ability.”

The Stewards enquired into an incident inside the two furlong marker involving Ceapach Rua (FR), ridden by James J. Doyle, unplaced and Yulong De Legend ridden by S. Foley, placed fourth, where it appeared that Ceapach Rua (FR) met with interference when Yulong The Legend manoeuvered out from behind Hype.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that S.Foley caused the incident by riding carelessly, this being a breach of Rule 214.

Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended S. Foley for 2 racedays.

Mrs. T.K.Cooper, Acting Steward, absented herself from this enquiry.

The Stewards reviewed an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Ceapach Rua (FR), ridden byJames J. Doyle, unplaced and Lincoln Hawk ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed fifth.

Having reviewed the recording and considered the matter, the Stewards decided that no further action was warranted

(GC & EM)