Busy spell no problem for Blue Empyrean Blue Empyrean turned out quickly, less than a week after a Tramore New Year's Day second placing, to win the Eastcoast Seafood & Gouldings Hardware Handicap Chase at Naas. This handicap debutant stays well, and his stamina came to the fore as he toughed it out doggedly up the run-in to get the better of Eiri Na Casca by two and three parts of a length. All seven were there with chances in the straight here, and Peoples Park ended up a length and a half off the front pair in third. Favourite Sizing Titanium finished four and a half lengths back in fourth. Andrew Ring rode 5/1 chance Blue Empyrean, and Keith Watson trains him at his County Armagh yard. "He was probably a bit lacklustre early on at Tramore recently but he stayed on well, and I said to Andrew today if he could stay in touch coming into the straight he'd stay at it," said Watson's son and assistant trainer Marshall. "He wouldn't be the quickest horse in the world but he'll be grand in time. He'll get a break now as he's had three quick runs and we'll probably go two-and-a-half or even further in future. "Today made up for Tramore. Andrew lost his whip two out there and he would take a bit of rousting along. "He's a good fun horse. It was his first time in a handicap and hopefully the handicapper doesn't crucify him now!" The Stewards interviewed S.A. Mulcahy, rider of Eiri Na Casca, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg. 10 3(e) and having taken his clean record into account cautioned him regarding his future whip use. (GC & EM)
