Golden double for McManus as Sunset comes good

On his fourth outing in the famous green and gold Golden Sunset (9s into 6s) landed a bit of a touch to bring up a J P McManus double at Down Royal in the Molson Coors Handicap Chase.

The top-weight pulled up a fortnight back at Fairyhouse in a race that went to the same owner’s Castle Oliver Coincidentally enough Castle Oliver (Padraig Roche and Mark Walsh) initiated the brace for McManus on this programme, in the preceding rated novice chase.

Simon Torrens did the steering on Golden Sunset (pecked two out) and he toughed it out best to beat Misty Adage and favourite An Droichead Gorm by two lengths and two and three parts of a length.

Pace-setter Fivecardstud was eventually run out of it for a place, ending up three lengths back in fourth.

"I think the ground was probably too heavy for him the last day (when pulled up in Fairyhouse). He stayed at it well today,” said winning trainer Niall 'Boots' Madden.

"It was slow motion out there, he's a low-grade handicap horse. He'll go for something similar.

"I'm delighted for Simon (Torrens), he's done plenty of work for me."

The Stewards interviewed S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Misty Adage, 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 S.F. O'Keeffe was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency.

Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended S.F. O'Keeffe for 4 racedays.

Owing to the low lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for fence #3 to be omitted from this race

The Stewards requested a report from Niall Madden, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Golden Sunset (GB), placed first, as compared with its recent form.

Niall Madden reported that his charge previously ran at Fairyhouse on the 14th January where he travelled well until stopping quickly after the third last fence.

The animal was subsequently scoped and examined at home post race and no abnormality was found.

In his opinion his charge did not handle the heavy ground conditions on the inside track at Fairyhouse and was winning his first race today.

Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

(MG & EM)