Sun sends favourite backers home happy

On an afternoon when Henry De Bromhead sent out three winners – Never Complain (Down Royal) and An Dearthair Og (Wexford) – his Riviera Sun (Dave Roche up) rounded off the card at Down Royal when winning the Winged Love INH Flat Race.

In the Martin Baker colours that were carried with distinction by Prairie Moonlight a few years ago, Roche asserted aboard even money favourite Riviera Sun from over a furlong out before seeing off Killultagh Sarah by five and a half lengths.

Martin Baker from Tubber Co Clare, Matthew Waters from Co Clare and Brian Donlon from Co Galway were all in attendance to see their charge win.

Baker said: "He was very green the first day and Derek (O’Connor) was trying to educate him. He's a lovely mover and he'll like better ground. He wasn't minding the ground that day in Naas.

"I bred him myself and we think a lot of him. He'll probably go to the sales. The form was in the book behind Shaneshill."

The Stewards enquired into incidents before and after the road crossing at the latter stage of this race involving Riviera Sun, ridden by Mr D. Roche, placed first and Killultagh Sarah, ridden by Ms K. Walsh, placed second, where it appeared that Killultagh Sarah was impeded. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr D. Roche had ridden carelessly and consequently suspended him for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration. Mr C.P. Magnier, Chairman of the Acting Stewards absented himself from this enquiry and Mr N.B. Wachman acted as Chairman.(MG & EM)