Its Not Over Yet completes 41/1 double for McKiernan & Enright

Its Not Over Yet completed a 41/1 double for Oliver McKiernan and Philip Enright, as she ran out an easy winner of the Image Furnishings Handicap Hurdle.

Bidding to follow-up on her breakthrough success at Tipperary in July, the Califet five-year-old was sent off a 6/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division on the outer, the 93-rated bay took closer order from four out and improved to dispute the lead before the next.

Gaining an outright advantage on the run to the penultimate obstacle, she readily went clear approaching the last, eventually coming home five lengths to the good.

Returned at 14/1, Sarah Beara was best of the rest, with Positive Thinker (11/2) another five and a half lengths away in third.

Shane Broderick's Sphagnum was the 4/1 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth.

"She's a great little filly. She won in Tipperary the last day over three miles and it took three miles to get her to win," McKiernan, who was earlier successful with Warmer Days Ahead commented.

"The race maybe cut up a bit but she has improved since the last race, that's the way it looked to me.

"She came round the bend very strong and coming up the straight she was going the best I've ever seen her go. I was delighted with her.

"She's handy enough, 16 hands, but she has good scope. She's out of a half-sister to Gallant John Joe, who was a good horse for me.

"I'm mad happy about it. Funnily enough we don't have many mares, I had a few of them early on in life and didn't seem to click too well with them."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards fined John Joseph Hanlon, trainer, €65 for failing fit the declared cheekpieces to Phoenix Cowboy (USA), prior to entering the parade ring.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Shuil Na Tra trained by Norman Lee, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have overreached on the right fore but was otherwise post race normal.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr R. James, rider of Vaureal (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the whip regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Mr R. James was in breach of R.10.3(g) (frequency) and having considered his clean record, they suspended him for three racedays.

D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Dancing After Dark trained by J.G. Bennett, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a mistake at the last fence on the first circuit and raced too keenly.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson