Double for Joseph O'Brien and McDonogh at Leopardstown

Unfortunate in the Britannia with second placer Liffey River earlier at Royal Ascot, Joseph O’Brien doubled up at Leopardstown courtesy of Hype in the Dundrum Handicap.

It was a brace also for winning rider, Declan McDonogh, but it didn’t look likely when the former champion was after his mount approaching the straight.

To the great credit of the Siyouni colt, off the track since a maiden win in October at Dundalk, he came home strongly to touch off Windsor Pass by a head.

O’Brien and McDonogh had started the day on the right note at the Foxrock venue with success in the two-year-old maiden. Relaxed Artist did the business there for the Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate.

Stable representative Brendan Powell said: “He’s a gorgeous looking horse but Declan said he was just a bit ring-rusty. He ran a bit wide off the bend through greenness, had a blow but when he knuckled down he stayed on well.

“You can’t see any problem with him getting ten furlongs. They went a true pace the whole way and he’s an honest, genuine horse.

“He’s been off for a while but is a good mover and has a good mental attitude. I think he’s just given him time to mature, and hopefully he’ll improve from that as well.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Diderot (GB), trained by G.M.Lyons, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.

The Stewards interviewed D.P. McDonogh, rider of Hype, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, D.P. McDonogh stated that he gave his mount a light flick with the whip when he felt that he ran off the final bend but admitted that he had marginally exceeded the guidelines for numbers. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.P. McDonogh was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended D.P. McDonogh for two racedays.

C.T. Keane, rider of Diderot (GB) trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped very quickly.

The Stewards reviewed an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Diderot (GB), ridden by C.T. Keane, unplaced and Windsor Pass, ridden by S. Foley, placed second, where it appeared that Diderot (GB) was short of room on the rails when passed by Windsor Pass. Having reviewed the recording of that part of the race and considered the matter, the Stewards were satisfied that no action was warranted.

(AM & EM)