Line Break (Derek O'Connor) beats Part Time Farmer (Jay Archdeacon)© Photo Healy Racing
The concluding Punchestown - Ireland's Favourite Sporting Hospitality INH Flat Race was a dramatic event with three of the twelve runners failing to complete. Owned and bred by John Power, Line Break looked smart when winning for Padraig Roche and Derek O’Connor.
After falling on debut in a maiden hurdle at this venue in the middle of last month, Line Break was a well-supported 7/2 shot for this assignment, after double figure odds had reportedly been availed of earlier. Kyubi was in front when running out through a wing after two furlongs, and L'intemporel was towards the rear when jinking and unseating rider at the same point.
One of the joint favourites, Cathmart Desjy was well held, chasing the front pair, when slipping up in the closing stages.
Meanwhile Line Break was always prominent, and she was second on the inner three furlongs out. Ridden to lead a furlong and a half out, the successful chestnut stayed on well in the final furlong to beat Part Time Farmer by four and a quarter lengths.
“She’s a nice filly. I’m delighted for John and Kevin (Power) and the family. They bred her which is an extra bonus. I used to ride with Kevin and we’re good friends and John is very good friends with dad so it’s great to train a winner for them,” said Roche.
“We always liked her and she was running a nice race here over hurdles but unfortunately tipped up. She seems to have improved so hopefully she is something to look forward to.
“She may have a go at the Listed four-year-old bumper in Limerick and a summer of grass will do her a lot of good. She did it nicely there and Derek was impressed with her. He gave her a great ride.”
Mr. T. Hamilton, rider of Cathmart Desjy (FR), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stumbled and fell over for no apparent reason and independent of any other horse.
Mr R. Deegan, rider of Kyubi, trained by P.J.F. Murphy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount cocked her jaw, ran through a wing marking the course and unseated him.
Mr D.T. Hyde, rider of L'intemporel (FR), trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ducked when Kyubi collided with a wing marking the course and unseated him.
(AM & EM)
