Ciankyle prevails despite market drift

Ciankyle recorded his second success of the season, as he took the Guinness Handicap Hurdle, despite proving friendless with punters.

Trained by Peter Cluskey, the seven-year-old gelding was successful at Roscommon in June, and finished third and sixth on his two starts since.

As short as 5/1 in early shows, the son of Mountain High opened on-course at 10s before going off an 11/1 chance under Mark Bolger.

Sent to the front after the first, the bay victor was pressed and joined by the 4/1 favourite Like A Diamond from three out.

He was pushed along and went on again before the last, coming home two and a quarter lengths to the good in the colours of Julianstown based owner/breeder Hugh Calvey. Boris Grishenko (8/1) ran on well to take second, while Rathnaleen Girl (12/1) and Bective Cave (20/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively. Dunloe Lady (20s in early shows and from 11s to 13/2 on-course) was the gamble of the race, but could only manage a very disappointing twelfth.

The aforementioned market leader pulled up quickly after a mistake at the last, and appeared to be badly injured.

Cluskey, who trains near Balbriggan in Co Dublin, said: "The last day here he lost it at the start. There was a false start and he didn't get up there in time. He likes to get out and dictate the pace himself.

"We'll keep him going in whatever handicaps we can get into while the ground is good. He won going away there."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Alfred Wegener trained by E. McNamara, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Boris Grishenko, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was further back than wanted going to the first hurdle, made a mistake at it, did not travel thereafter in a race run at a strong gallop but began to pass tired horses on the uphill run when ridden wide and ran on to finish second.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee