Maknificent wins as Laganore flops

Laganore went off the 6/5 favourite for the Dunloe Hotel Handicap but she ultimately disappointed as second favourite Maknificent came through to win under Shane Kelly for Michael O'Callaghan.

Having finished a close-up third on her last start at Galway the daughter of Makfi was available at 5/1 this morning before going off a 4/1 chance.

Drawn on the rail in one she tracked the leaders and was ridden under three furlongs out.

She was squeezed for room over a furlong out but soon got the gap she needed and stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to score by a length and a half. Tagg's Island (16/1) ran a fine race to finish second under Caroline Murtagh for her father Johnny while Mayakoba (25's in the morning and from 8's to 10's on-course) stayed on strongly to take third, a further neck back under Danny Grant for Pat Flynn.

Laganore travelled well on the outer over two furlongs out but she had no more to offer inside the final furlong and finished fourth under Donagh Meyler for Tony Martin.

Michael O'Callaghan said afterwards: "The extra bit of distance helped her, and she's improving with all her runs.

"She ran incredibly well at Galway considering she dropped herself out five furlongs out.

"She'd like a bit of juice in the ground, and Shane said it was a bit quick for her there. She was caught for a bit of toe but is a tough sort of filly and the long straight helped."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the straight involving Laganore, ridden by D. Meyler, placed fourth, Dea Dia ridden by R.P. Downey, unplaced, Tagg's Island, ridden by Caroline Murtagh, placed second, Maknificent, ridden by S.B. Kelly, placed first, Best Kept Secret ridden by D. O'Brien, unplaced and Mayakoba, ridden by D.M. Grant, placed third. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned, in the presence of J.P.Murtagh, trainer of Tagg's Island and Michael Hourigan, trainer, who accompanied D. O'Brien in the Stewards room. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judge's placings, however they were of the opinion that Caroline Murtagh was in breach of Rule 214, in that she rode carelessly and having considered her record, suspended her for two race days. Furthermore R.P.Downey was cautioned concerning the accuracy of his evidence. .

W.J. Lee, rider of Plain Talking trained by A. Oliver, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee