Kilkenny & Tipp men combine for Naas win

Andy Slattery had a welcome change of luck when Ucanchoose held on to land a gamble (10s into 6s) in the Final BBQ Evening at Naas Racecourse on 20th July Handicap under Declan McDonogh.

The blinkered son of Choisir (also sired the first winner Captain Obvious made all, he was clear before halfway and he kept on under pressure from over a furlong out, eventually holding off the staying-on Acushladear by a neck.

Slattery trains Ucanchoose for his long-standing Kilkenny patron Seamus Brophy from Danesfort and he said: "That's the first part of the plan with the second part being a trip to Tipperary on Saturday where he'll get softer ground again.

"I've only four for the flat and the rest are point-to-pointers and jumpers."

Oceans Pip and her dam Pip'n Judy were another couple of sprinters to win for the Slattery/Brophy combination in years gone by.

The Stewards enquired into the possibility that D.P. McDonogh, rider of the winner Ucanchose, had moved across before the marker poles.

The rider stated that his mount jumped very quickly from stalls and having gone clear instantly he allowed him to angle across to his right for the better ground.

Having viewed the video of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards were of the opinion that D.P. McDonogh was in breach of the marker pole instructions and consequently fined him €200

The Stewards also interviewed S.C.Cronin, rider of Blue Law unplaced, concerning his use of the whip both when in contention and then when gone out of contention.

Evidence was heard from the rider who stated that his mount was known to be unreliable and he continued to use his whip in the hope that the gelding might respond and get into contention. He accepted that he had used his whip when there was nothing to achieve inside the final furlong.

Having viewed the video of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that S.C.Cronin was in breach of R10 (2)(b) unnecessary use after his chance was gone and R10 (2)(f) excessive frequency. They suspended him for 2 racedays and instructed him to attend R.A.C.E for one days tuition on the correct use of the whip. Mr Myles Sunderland represented Mr David Wachman, Master of S.C.Cronin.

Mr N.B. Wachman, Chairman of the Acting Stewards absented himself from this enquiry and Mr Julian Gaisford St Lawrence acted as Chairman.