Gabi Bourke and Bearwithmenow© Photo Healy Racing
Gabi Bourke booted home his first winner on Irish turf on John Flavin's Bearwithmenow in the extended three mile handicap hurdle at Wexford.
The five-year-old gelding, making his second start for the stable, was well punted from 14/1 to 8/1.
He was sent to the front by Bourke at the third last but had Journey West and Bonne Debut for company after the next.
Bearwithmenow found plenty on the run-in and won going by three and a half lengths from 13/2 runner-up Journey West. Bonne Debut was half a length away in third at an easy to back 3/1.
Bourke said: "I'm from Cork originally and I'm 27.
"He travelled grand and I just left him alone. They were going a bit quick. He switched off and I was asking him to jump and he kept going.
"The plan was just to get him home and get another run into him. We did better than that!
"I've ridden a couple of winners in Sweden. The ground would be a lot quicker and you would think they come back and they wouldn't, they just keep going. You use your brain over here, I think anyway!
"I go down to John two days a week so to try a winner first up for him like that is a great achievement. It was great that John had patience with me annoying him asking him if I could ride this or that!
"I'd be everywhere the rest of the week - Meath or Limerick or Clonmel."
The Stewards interviewed N.T. Prendergast, rider of fourth-placed Roccorionach concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, N.T. Prendergast admitted that he had exceeded the whip guidelines on the permitted use of the whip and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that N.T. Prendergast was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended N.T. Prendergast for one raceday.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
