Wandering Aengus gets his hurdle success

Wandering Aengus (8/11f) had been placed in four of his last five runs over staying trips and that stood him in good stead when he took the spoils in Downpatrick's two mile seven maiden hurdle for trainer Patrick Prendergast.

This was his first win since he took his bumper on debut at Punchestown in October 2010.

Shane Shortall was booked to claim 7lbs off his racing weight of 11-12. He quickly had the eight-year-old gelding in the lead after the first hurdle. He was three lengths up coming to the second last, but after that flight Changeofluck (10/1) started cutting into his lead. Wandering Aengus held on by half a length at the end.

Shane Shortall said: "That's great. He's been hitting the crossbar. He was idling there but the ground had gone against him a bit. He wears his heart on his sleeve."

The ground had changed from Good to Good to Yielding after the previous race.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed S.A. Shortall, rider of Wandering Aengus (GB), 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 3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive force and frequency, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays.