Castlegrace Paddy wins readily on Flat debut

On what was his Flat debut, Castlegrace Paddy ran out a ready winner of the Beaufort Golf Cup (Qualified Riders) Maiden.

A three-time Grade 2 winner over fences and a tremendous servant to connections, the now eleven-year-old was last seen finishing fourth in the Webster Cup at Navan in March.

Sent off the 5/2 second favourite under Patrick Mullins, the Pat Fahy trained bay was awkward away from the stalls.

Soon settled behind the leaders, he travelled strongly from early in the straight and was ridden to the front just inside the furlong pole, stretching clear from there, coming home four-and-a-quarter lengths to the good. Raven Rule came in for plenty of late market support (13/2 to 7/2) and she just got up for second under Finian Maguire for Liam Burke. Happy Jacky who was returned the 5/6 favourite, had no more to offer once headed by the winner inside the final furlong and he eventually finished third.

Mullins said in the aftermath: "I was surprised he wasn't favourite as he is a graded horse who beat A Plus Tard and even going down to the start, he gave the feel of a proper horse. He loved the ground and the drop in grade.

"I think he goes for the Galway Plate next, today was a pipe-opener and he goes there in great form. I told Conor (Fahy, trainer's son) to keep me in mind for the ride as he'd have enough weight.

"I think that will do wonders for him, he really enjoyed himself and it took a whole lap to pull him up. I'm delighted to get a winner for Pat."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed Mr R.W. Barron, rider of Happy Jacky, trained by Ray Hackett, concerning his riding inside the final one hundred yards where he appeared to stop riding when running in second place and lost that placing close to the winning post to get beaten a head by Raven Rule. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he was aware of the challenger but he grabbed a hold of his mount close to the finish as he was leaning in. He added that his mount had no more to give and was beaten fairly for second place. Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes