Sheishybrid completes quick-double for Meade & Keane

Sheishybrid completed a quick double for Noel Meade and Colin Keane, as she claimed the Grant Thornton Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap in the colours of the Rockmore Partnership.

Successful over flights at Cork and Ballinrobe last month, the Mastercraftsman bay was well-fancied to register another win this evening, going off the 5/2 favourite, from 7s early.

Towards the head of affairs throughout, the four-year-old cruised through to lead with over three furlongs to race, battling on gamely under pressure to hold off the persistent effort of Peregrine Run by a length-and-a-quarter.

The gallant runner-up, who is eight years older than the winner, was returned at 10/1 under Sam Ewing for Peter Fahey, while Rich Belief (5/1) was a further six-and-a-half lengths back in third.

.Scenic Look, a recent course winner over flights, came in for plenty of market support (8s early, returned 3/1) and he was another half-a-length back in fourth.

"She's actually related to Big Orange and she is also related to a very fast sprinter in Hong Kong. Joe Banahan (starter) bred her," Meade said.

"We thought originally when she was a three-year-old that she was going to be a stakes filly and she disappointed us.

"It's not until we put her over the longer trip over hurdles and stretched her on the Flat that she has improved a bit. The long trip seems to suit her real well. She jumps well and enjoys that.

"She doesn't like very soft ground so we will probably rest her over the winter. I think there is plenty of fun to be had with her.

"Maybe next year, if she went up a bit, she might be a contender for that two-and-a-half mile race at Ascot.

"I think she will mix and match, the hurdles seem to sweeten her up a good bit anyway.

"I think that is five times we have won this race."

Meade and Keane were successful in the previous contest with Pub Talk It was a 73rd winner of the season for Keane, just one behind title rival Billy Lee, who himself completed a double on the card.

STEWARDS REPORTS

Prior to the meeting, the Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Ms. T. O'Meara, to amend the distance of this race to two miles, two furlongs and fifty five yards. This race was started by flag.

J.A. Powell, rider of Loudest Whisper trained by E. D. Delany, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount edged right in the straight.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dark Voyager trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham