Burke steers Changer to deserved win

The Game Changer got a deserved win to his name as he took the feature at Killarney this evening, the Grade C Download The Free Racing Post Mobile App Handicap Hurdle, under Jonathan Burke.

The Charlie Swan trained five-year-old was placed on his last three starts in ultra-competitive handicaps, finishing third in the Galway Hurdle on his last outing.

Carrying top-weight of eleven stone five (taking off Burke’s five pound claim) the son of Arcadio was sent off at 11/2 (opened at 6’s on-course).

Settled in mid-division he made smooth progress into second on the run to two out and jumped to the front at the last.

He only had to be pushed out on the run-in as he went on to score by three parts of a length. Queen Alphabet (7/1) ran a fine race to finish second on her handicap debut under Davy Russell for Peter Fahey while the front running Hurricane Jojo (14/1) also ran well to take third a further half a length back under Denis Hogan for Steven Ryder. Macnicholson was sent off the 7/2 favourite under Barry Geraghty for Jessica Harrington and he finished fifth.

Charlie Swan said afterwards: "This horse has so much ability. He has so much speed I think he could win over a mile on the flat and the flatter track here probably suits him.

"He got left a bit at the start at Galway and I didn’t intend for him to be that far back. He will keep going while the ground is good and Johnny gave him a great ride.

"There are a couple of conditions races coming up that we could for. He probably won’t jump fences until next year."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards received a report from Mr. P.L.Malone , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that D.N. Russell , rider of Queen Alphabet , weighed in at 1.6 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that D.N.Russell was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for one race day.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee