Mono just gets the better of favourite Schaick

Monolight just got the better of Van Schaick in what was an exciting finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The Mick Halford trained victor was placed on his last two start and he was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time today.

Having opened the 5/2 favourite last night the son of Iffraaj proved easy to back on-course and went off a 7/2 chance.

Settled behind the leaders by Shane Foley he was carried wide off the bend past the stands.

He was quickly reorganised by Foley and raced in fourth. He was pushed along approaching the straight and was ridden from over two furlongs out.

He got on terms with Van Schaick from the furlong pole and duo had a great battle from there with Monolight just prevailing by a head.

The runner-up was returned the 9/4 favourite under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons while Carraigin Aonair completed the placings a further four and a half lengths back in third under Connor King for John Murphy at 100/1.

Mick Halford said afterwards: "It was a messy race and he was carried out wide. He makes life hard on himself as he's very idle.

"The cheek-pieces helped and also the bit of ease in the ground. At the Curragh it was a bit fast on the downhill into the straight.

"It's nice to get a winning bracket, and he'll go handicapping. That's probably his trip, although he switches off that much he could get a mile and a half."

Monolight, who is owned by Godolphin, cost 42,000 guineas as a foal and he is a half-brother to Prolific who won a Group 2 in 2008 for Richard Hannon.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards informed John Joseph Murphy, trainer that Quarterdeck (withdrawn) would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

J.P. O'Brien, rider of Torrey Pines trained by A.P.O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran off two bends and did not handle the track.

The Stewards interviewed C.T. Keane, rider of Van Schaick, concerning his use of the whip in the final three furlongs of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that C.T. Keane was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency and consequently cautioned him having taken his good previous record into consideration.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee