Ringside Humour's price tag goes up

Jim Bolger's Ringside Humour under a drive from Kevin Manning, stayed on best as the post loomed in Dundalk's mile handicap.

The 5/4 favourite Hat Alnasar set the fractions and was still boxing on with two furlongs to travel. Conor Hoban soon asked him for more as Manning went for the whip on Ringside Humour in second.

As the race unfolded at the furlong marker, Hat Alnasar was chased by Ringside Humour, Rummaging and Brosnan The four were separated by under two lengths and had pulled well clear of Bishan Bedi and Ciao Cielo

Ringside Humour (13/2) got on top close home from Brosnan (10/1) who kept on well to get up for second by a head from Hat Alnasar. There was half a length between the winner and the runner-up at the finish.

Bolger's assistant trainer Ger Flynn said: "She's deserved that. She's been knocking on the door and running consistent, honest races. She's just run into some horses.

“She dropped backed to a mile and jumped out second and looked to be enjoying it. Kevin was delighted with her. She's in the February sales at Goffs.”

The Stewards interviewed C.P. Hoban, rider of Hat Alnasar, concerning his use of the whip inside the final 150 yards of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that C.P. Hoban was in breach of R10(3)(a) by hitting his horse in front of the saddle while the whip was held in the forehand position and consequently suspended him for one race day having taken his previous record into consideration.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson