McNiff wins with lesser fancied Garrison

Last Garrison (blinkered first time) flew home from off the pace down the outer to win the Down Royal Handicap under Declan McDonogh.

The 20/1 shot got there in time to touch off Lucky Red (not clear run) and Vocal Resurgence (had looked a likely winner from the front) by a neck and the same.

Trainer Mark McNiff has care of Last Garrison and he also had the 7th home, Dayereh (a 5/1 chance).

"I thought she (Dayereh) would have taken a lot of beating on her last run. This lad's first run for us he had a real nice run in Limerick and seemed to go backwards big time on his next two starts," stated McNiff.

"Declan (McDonogh) had won on him before for the last trainer and Declan said he can't be crowded at all. He shows plenty enough at home.

"First-time blinkers could have been a factor as well.

"I'd say they went plenty hard, all of the fancied ones were handy and didn't stay going. It's great to get it.

"The syndicate have been with me basically since I started.

"He'll go for something similar next time. He's actually in Cartmel on Friday over hurdles in case the blinkers did spark him up. We'll see if we go or not, it depends on what the English handicapper does."

D.E. Sheehy, rider of Mountain Kingdom trained by C.A.McBratney, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost his action in the straight.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Magic Sea trained by Sarah Dawson, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Stewards requested a report from Mark Michael McNiff, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Last Garrison, placed first, as compared with its recent form.

Mr. McNiff reported that his charge was having his first run back after a break at Limerick, where he ran well from a bad draw.

He disappointed on his next two runs, possibly as a result of racing amoungst horses.

Mr. McNiff stated that with D.P. McDonagh riding, having won on him before, dropping him out, challenging wide with plenty of light and the application of blinkers in his opinion were contributing factors to the improved performance.

Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the report.

(MG & EM)