Dash D'or delights Cotter in Naas

Dash D'or cruised home by three and three quarter lengths in the Naasracecourse.com Handicap under Conor Hoban for trainer Kieran Cotter.

On paper this maximum field 45-65 sprint handicap looked a tricky affair but Dash D'or enjoyed herself to come home unextended.

She was drawn in 18 and raced widest of all on the stands' side as she tanked along into contention with a quarter of a mile to travel.

The grey mare was given the office over a furlong out by Hoban and soon hit the front.

Hoban could afford to ease up in the final 100 yards as his mount coasted home at 6/1. Mercury (7/1), Tyrconnell (10/1) and 33/1 chance S P B Lucky came home second, third and fourth respectively.

Kieran Cotter said: "She deserves that after two good seconds.

“I had a doubt whether she'd see out the six well but in fairness to her she did it well. I think there is probably better ground on this side of the track.

“We'll keep her going now and hopefully we're not hit too hard. Hopefully she keeps progressing.

“Her grand-dam is a half-sister to Lochsong and she wasn't at her best until she was five. I'm not saying she's any Lochsong but hopefully there is some improvement in her as we go along.

“She's only started to learn how to race now as she gave a lot of trouble early on. She's just starting to get better and better and starting to relax.

“I think there are one or two races left for her, she needs fairly decent ground, and we wouldn't be averse to going up to Dundalk on the all-weather.

“We'll play it by ear. We'll just enjoy it as we've had a good week.

“I'm a bit lost for words why the other one (Polly Douglas) wasn't behind her but sometimes she can run flat when she's coming into season.”

The Stewards interviewed A.C. Persse, rider of 15th-placed Double Czech concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of 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 A.C. Persse was in breach of R10(3)(b) by the unnecessary hitting of his horse after its chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended A.C. Persse for one race day.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson