Stucker Hill (centre) drives for home under Danny Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Stucker Hill (11/2) landed the New Year’s Day Hospitality Packages In the Graun Hill Suite Mares Handicap Hurdle at Tramore to add to her Punchestown gains from 15 days back.
Recent point-to-point winner Le Hachette put up a bold show from the front but Danny Mullins’ mount Stucker Hill led at the last.
Isabel’s Gold, representing John Queally, successful in race one with Getaway Katie Mai wasn’t fluent at the final flight and ended up a length down on Billy Lanigan’s Stucker Hill at the line.
It was two lengths then to the aforementioned Le Hachette in third, with two and a half lengths to Kilbarry Calling (not fluent at the last) in fourth.
"That was great. Paddy O'Hanlon and Seosamh Murphy own him. Paddy is a veterinary surgeon from Abbeyleix, while Seosamh, who also bred him, owns the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow. We are only a small outfit and they are all needed," said Lanigan in the aftermath.
The Stewards received a report from Mr. W. Flemming, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that C.J. Orr, nominated rider of Georgia Grace trained by Miss Hillary McLoughlin(R), had presented himself to weigh out at 2.3 Ibs overweight which was not declared.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that this was the case.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that C.J. Orr was in breach of Rule 198(vii).
Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended C.J. Orr for 2 racedays.
Furthermore, the Stewards granted a request from the trainer, to substitute the nominated rider with P.T. Enright.
(DM & EM)
