3 for J P at Ballinrobe J P McManus saw his colours carried to victory for the third time on the evening at Ballinrobe when Lethal Weapon emerged victorious in a race the owner supports himself, the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase. Robbie Power was on the previous McManus winners, Plinth and King Leon, but it was Jody McGarvey that took the reins on Lethal Weapon in the conditional jockeys extended two and a quarter miler. The outcome was still in the balance here when the disputing Lady Olwyn fell at the final fence and the Christy Roche-trained Lethal Weapon (first National Hunt win since a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle in December 2008) then went on to defeat Doc Hollywood by four and a quarter lengths. The McManus racing manager Frank Berry commented: "Jody gave him a grand ride and he jumped reasonably well. He handled the ground well. "We'll try find something similar for him now and it's nice to get the money back for the boss!" The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Doc Hollywood, trained by Mrs Gillian Callaghan, placed second compared with its recent form. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned who stated that this gelding benefitted today from the good underfoot conditions, the application of cheekpieces, the distance of the race and the wide berth ensuring a clear run throughout the race. She added that this gelding had two runs recently over hurdles which sharpened her charge. She described the application of cheekpieces as a benefit as the gelding can be lacking in bravery and can be a little ungenuine. Evidence was also heard from Noel O'Brien, Turf Club Senior N.H Handicapper who stated that todays run far exceeded any of his previous three runs over fences. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report. (DM & EM)
