Michael Graham
Ryan sees Place Des Vosges home
Place Des Vosges finishes off strongest on the outside
© Photo Healy Racing
Place Des Vosges was another winner for in-form jockey Gavin Ryan in the second split of the mile and a half handicap at the Curragh.
The five-year-old mare came with a sustained run to get her head in front in the final 100 yards.
The 3/1 joint favourite won nicely by two and three quarter lengths from 3/1 joint favourite Leahman Guido Reni (6/1) had given it a good go from the front but dropped to fourth as 20/1 shot Arcland got up for third.
Trainer Mark Fahey said: “She deserved that as she was unlucky the last day in Fairyhouse. She’s a big, strong filly and a big galloping track suits her.
“She’s a nice filly to look forward to and she’ll jump hurdles too. She jumps well.”
This was 5lb-claimer Ryan's ninth winner in the last three weeks.
The Stewards enquired into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of A Few Bob Short trained by Shane Ryder after Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer had advised them that the animal had not been presented for identification in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90. A preliminary enquiry revealed that the animal had been withdrawn in error and was therefore reinstated under the provisions of Rule 194 (ix). A later enquiry was held with evidence sought from Shane Ryder, trainer, Chris Gordon, IHRB Senior Security Officer and Dr Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer. Shane Ryder stated that he had arrived more than two hours prior to his race and had entered Murless's yard through a Security gate without being stopped. He did not leave his runner unattended at any time thereafter and nobody had approached him from the IHRB Veterinary unit. He confirmed that he had received a text message from the IHRB informing him of his stable number. He made the point that this was his first runner at the Curragh. Chris Gordon admitted that there was a system failure on the part of the Security protocols in place and confirmed that this matter would be addressed and resolved for future meetings at this racecourse. Dr Lynn Hillyer stated that all horses are presented at the main yard on arrival and her team had no record of A Few Bob Short having arrived on site. She added that a Veterinary team member had gone to Murless's yard but had not located the horse. She further added that the deadline had passed and she took the view that the animal had not arrived at the stable yard and informed the Stewartds who subsequently withdrew the animal. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards exonerated Shane Ryder of all blame. They found that A Few Bob Short had been withdrawn because there was a systems breakdown on the part of IHRB Security as acknowledged by Chris Gordon together with the failure on the part of the IHRB Veterinary team and accordingly the Stewards reinstated A Few Bob Short in accordance with Rule 194 (ix).
Additional reporting by Alan Magee