Shortall gets Rock up on the line

Shane Shortall got Cassells Rock up in the nick of time to deny Curragh Golan in the feature at Bellewstown this evening, the P.B.A. At Bellewstown Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle.

The Tony Martin trained four-year-old gelding won a flat handicap over two miles at Leopardstown on his last start and he was sent off the well-backed 5/2 favourite (4’s last night and from 7/2 on-course) to make it two in-a-row here.

Having raced towards the rear he improved to take closer order from before four out.

He was ridden in fourth after two out and improved into second after the last, keeping on well from there to just get up on the line, with a short head the margin of victory.

Curragh Golan (9/1) kicked for home before three out and he just failed to see it out under Paul Townend for Garrett Power. Portrade finished a further five and a half lengths back in third under Jody McGarvey for George Stanley at 13/2. Quarton who went off the 7/2 second favourite, was still in with every chance when he crashed out at the second last.

Tony Martin said afterwards: "I'm delighted for the man that owns him, Donal Houlihan.

"We got him out of France this time last year but he had a few teething problems.

"He wants that summer ground. We tried to do things with him in the winter that he wasn't capable of."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed S.A. Shortall, rider of Cassells Rock, winner, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages 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 S.A. Shortall was in breach of Regulation 10 4 in that he failed to give his mount time to respond, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson