'Jumps horse' Journal wins Leopardstown finale

Dublin Journal bounced back to form to land the last at Leopardstown, the Visit The Kids Play Area At Leopardstown Handicap.

A winner at Naas last season and placed three times, the son of Teofilo was sixteenth of seventeen on his return to action at Cork.

Available at 20/1 in early shows, he came in for plenty of market support, easing back out to 8/1 at the off.

Settled behind the leaders by Kevin Manning, the chestnut victor was pushed along to challenge on the outer over a furlong from home and he soon edged into a narrow lead.

He stuck to his task well in the closing stages and came home a length clear of Entropy (3/1f), with Annexation (14s to 11s) another half-a-length back in third. Snag It who was 66/1 in early shows but returned a 9/1 chance, led into the straight but folded tamely once headed and he eventually finished thirteenth.

"He's a good horse and the better ground suited him today," said Bolger.

"He'll be one for the July Sale and he'll make a lovely jumps horse. He stays well and has everything for that game."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards requested a report from J. S. Bolger, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Dublin Journal, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Cork on the 16th April when finishing sixteenth of seventeen runners on yielding to soft ground. J.S. Bolger reported that he contributed the improved run today to the good ground conditions. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

The Stewards received a report from Mr P.L. Malone , Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that S.T. McCullagh , rider of Jungle Cove , weighed in at 1.8 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he had a small drink after weighing out early. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that S.T. McCullagh was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for one raceday having taken his clean previous record into consideration.

C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Bringsty (GB) trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stumbled after racing for two furlongs and later on stopped quickly in the straight.

W.J. Lee, rider of Snag It trained by Matthew J. Smith, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left under pressure.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson