Diamond comes through to surprise

After coming up narrowly short in the preceding event on Lily's Rainbow Wayne Lordan struck on 25/1 chance Annadiamond in the Easter Mid-Term Madness At Dundalk Handicap.

Kilkenny trainer Garrett Power may have most recently been represented in the point-to-point fields, at Belclare last Sunday, but he again showed his versatility here with this Diamond Green filly, on her second run back off a break.

Annadiamond came through from mid-division on the inner entering the straight. Ridden to lead under two furlongs out, the outsider kept going well to beat the finishers, Colla Pier and Headlong by half a length and a neck.

"She's a grand filly. I probably got there a bit too soon but she kept at it well," reported Lordan.

The Stewards interviewed W.M. Lordan, rider of Annadiamond, winner, concerning his use of the whip in the closing 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 W.M. Lordan was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Hard Times trained by T.G.McCourt, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen and lost his action.

(AM & EM)