Another Dundalk win for Empresario Empresario followed up on his win from here last week, again with Conor McGovern in the plate, landing split one of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap at Dundalk. The Bart Hooper-owned and Matthew Smith-trained Hurricane Run chestnut showed toughness in abundance over the closing couple of furlongs. Seven to two market-leader Empresario fought them all off to prevail by a neck from Ondamoura. Empresario had prevailed over an extended ten furlongs seven days previous, whilst it was a mile and a half this time. "He likes it around here and will come back again. He stays well, and kept at it well into that wind," commented Smith. Gary Paul Halpin, rider of That's Ours (USA), trained by James M. Barcoe, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled. The Stewards enquired into an incident at the first bend involving Ridestan, ridden by D.P. Linehan, Empresario, ridden by C.J. McGovern, Hatch Hall (GB), ridden by C.R. King, Ondamoura, ridden by S. Corby, Banker Burke, ridden by R. Coakley, and Danequest, ridden by R.P. Downey, where it appeared Ridestan and Banker Burke ran short of room on the inner. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D.P. Linehan attended this enquiry accompanied by K.H. Clarke. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards apportioned no blame to any individual rider and took no further action. (AM & EM)
