Nip and tuck - Van Schaick (Colin Keane, nearside) got the better of a tremendous battle with Alveena (Pat Smullen)© Photo Healy Racing
Even a brief glimpse at the betting revealed that Van Schaick (100/30 from bigger earlier) and Alveena (11/4 favourite) were well fancied for the Become A 2016 Curragh Member Handicap. The former prevailed by a neck and they left the rest all of four and three parts of a length and more behind.
For Sean Jones, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane, Van Schaick, getting off the mark on outing number eight, had to be tough to repel a determined filly in Alveena, and a neck was the difference between the pair at the line. Ri An Domhnaigh filled the bronze medal position.
"It was his first run in handicap and he had to do it the hard way. He did it well," said Shane Lyons, representing brother Ger.
"He was a bit slow away and it suited him to get into it rather than be on top of his head early doors.
"It was lovely to see him doing it in a ding dong with the other horse and he was very gutsy. He kept at it really well.
"That's as quick as he wants it and he got the trip well.
"He's only growing into himself and will improve again hopefully. He's in the sales and is only getting stronger."
The Stewards fined Liam Roche, trainer, 350 Euros for lodging a passport in respect of Lightening Stricks in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
The Stewards interviewed A.J. Breslin, rider of Lightening Stricks, concerning his use of the whip in the latter 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 that A.J. Breslin was in breach of R10(3)(b) by the continued hitting of his mount after his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone and consequently cautioned him having taken into consideration his inexperience and clean record.
The Stewards interviewed A.J.Martin, trainer of Jeremy's Jet regarding the late arrival of the horse into the Parade Ring. Evidence was heard from the trainer who stated that this is a difficult animal which became upset on the previous occasion when fitted with a tongue strap, whereas today it was left off but again he got very excited during the preliminaries and was consequently delayed going to the parade ring to try and settle him.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that A.J. Martin was in breach of Rule 32(ii) by failing to parade his charge in the parade ring a reasonable time before the signal to mount was given and consequently fined A.J. Martin 150 Euros having taken his previous record into consideration.
(GC & EM)
