Treble for McDonogh & double for O'Brien as Mission comes good

Rapid Mission completed a treble for Declan McDonogh and a first and last race double for Joseph O'Brien, as he made the breakthrough in the concluding Conference & Banqueting Facilities At Limerick Racecourse Handicap.

The pair had earlier combined to take the opener with Il Pellegrino while McDonogh doubled his tally aboard One Boss for Willie McCreery in the fourth.

Bought for 330,000 pounds as a yearling and placed three times from five starts as a juvenile, Rapid Mission finished fifth of seven on his return to action at Navan earlier this month.

Upped in trip this afternoon and sent off a 4/1 chance, the Frankel bay was sluggish away from the stalls and was soon settled in mid-division on the outer in the colours of Zhang Yuesheng.

He made good headway into fourth approaching the straight and was pushed along to lead inside the final 200 yards, going on to score comfortably by a length and a half.

On his second start for Ian Donoghue, Qasbaz (20/1) ran on well to fill the runner-up spot under Gary Carroll, while Eskimo Komet (12/1) was just a head away in third.

"He had some very good runs in Curragh maidens as a two-year-old and he always galloped well," McDonogh commented.

"He fell out of the gates today but after a furlong-and-a-half he locked on and was very free in the blinkers. I had to get him to switch off but the pace was on racing down the back straight and I snook into it. He won snug at the line.

"I think that distance is good for him and he loves that ground."

STEWARDS REPORTS

C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Three Comets (GER), trained by Luke Comer, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Cafe Con Leche, ridden by S.P. Davis, and trained by C.Byrnes. Evidence was heard from the rider and from Anthony Bustin, Authorised Representative for the trainer. S.P. Davis stated that his instructions were to settle his mount as he was drawn wide, to creep into the race and to do the best he could. He said his mount was off the bridle for much of the race before staying on in the closing stages. When questioned why he chose to go right into traffic in the closing stages rather than go left for a clear run, S.P. Davis stated that his mount would benefit from running through horses and this had helped to finish well. He was satisfied that if he had gone for daylight his mount would have lost interest. Mr. Bustin confirmed the instructions given and expressed his satisfaction with the ride. He confirmed that he owned the animal himself, had ridden it before and stated that the animal always does its best work in the closing stages. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, who stated that Cafe Con Leche was post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the explanations offered on this occasion.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes