Espion delights Lyons & Teehan

Espion Du Chenet just held off the late surge of The Chapel Field in the second at Thurles this afternoon, the Racing Again February 25th Handicap Chase.

A winner at Naas in December, the Louise Lyons trained French bred unseated at the first on his next start, before pulling up at Clonmel last month.

Sent off favourite on both occasions, the son of Sunday Break proved easy-to-back today and went to post a 10/1 chance.

Settled behind the leaders by Ryan Treacy, the seven-year-old chestnut took closer order in third from four out.

In front on the turn into the straight, he needed to pull out all the stops on the run-in to hold off the late effort of The Chapel Field (8/1) by a short head.

The front pair were fifteen lengths clear of the well-backed Flamingo's Court in third (25s in early shows, returned at 17/2). Shopping Around was returned the 10/3 favourite and she disappointingly pulled up.

Nicholas Teehan, winning owner and partner of Louise Lyons, said: "In hindsight he wasn't straight enough for Clonmel as he had missed a few days over Christmas after his fall here.

"We had a fair idea we had him right for today but still we were worried about the ground as he'd prefer it a bit better.

"If he is okay in the morning, we might try for a novice handicap at Wexford in March but we're absolutely thrilled to have won two with him during the winter."

The winner provided Lyons with her first success in the training ranks when successful at Naas in December.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Shopping Around, trained by J.T.R.Dreaper, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Carnet De Stage trained by Eugene M. O'Sullivan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have pulled a left fore shoe but to be otherwise post race normal.

K.M. Donoghue, rider of Shopping Around trained by J.T.R.Dreaper, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and made a bad mistake up the back.

D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Knockraha Boss trained by Richard Anthony Foley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a couple of mistakes.

The Stewards enquired from B. Hayes, rider of Chalky White who fell on the flat in this race. The rider reported that his mount fell independently of any other horse having sustained an injury. Having considered the report and viewed a recording of the race, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

The Stewards requested a report from Louise G. Lyons, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Espion Du Chenet (FR), placed first, as compared with its most recent run. Louise G. Lyons stated that her mount was returning from a small break after a bad fall and had found the ground far too testing and had gotten very tired on it's previous run. She added that the better ground today had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes