Coney puts Bowes in the number 1 again

Coney Choice part of the famous set of doubles for the Fox twins at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day, did Mattie Bowes a turn when successful for County Tyrone-based owner/trainer Lady Jane Gillespie in division two of the Cahore Point Handicap Hurdle at Wexford.

The Strategic Choice gelding, a 12/1 chance on this occasion, led before three out, but in the end he was all out to contain the spirited late bid of the favourite, Moonunderwater by a head.

"We expected him to win today. He won at Down Royal at Christmas time. He won rated 85, he went up five for that and got dropped one for his last run," stated Bowes.

"He loves a flat track, he is not so fond of a track with a hill or anything like that. These are the sort of tracks he goes well at.

"He is still well rated. We will probably step him up in trip and hopefully we will get another handicap or two out of him.

"He will go chasing next season. He won a point-to-point on good ground.

"Like all horses they are hard to keep right and you don't want to be running them on rock hard ground all the time but we got away with it today anyway."

The Stewards interviewed D.E. Mullins, rider of Moonunderwater, concerning his use of the whip in this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f), in that he used the whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record, cautioned him concerning his future responsibilities in this regard.

(DM & EM)