Relegate (centre) and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Champion bumper heroine Relegate (1/1 into 4/5) got off the mark at the second time of asking over flights, when grinding it out best in the Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Mares Maiden Hurdle under Ruby Walsh at Naas.
A bit unfortunate when bumped and impeded at the last at Punchestown on November 18th, the Willie Mullins-trained Relegate was expected to step up a place on a promoted second then, despite facing smart rivals like Caravation (9/1) and Barrington Court (13/8).
That pair made the victorious daughter of Flemensfirth work hard, but the Paul McKeown-owned five-year-old has the right attitude and she battled them off by half a length and two and a half lengths.
The winner may have got the last two hurdles wrong but in a good sign for the race the front trio drew on by eighteen lengths from fourth home Duchess Ravenwaves
“That was good and I thought Ruby was very good on her,” said Mullins.
“She didn't help him much over the last two. She was probably just going a bit too fast for her. I'd imagine from now on we'll go way out in trip with her.
“Unless there was something at two-and-a-quarter but I'd be looking at two-and-a-half. To win a two mile hurdle was good.
“I think she'll jump a lot better when she goes out in trip.
“I'll just try and find the easiest race I can! I'd be looking for mares races or novice races, I doubt she'd come back here for the Grade 1. I'll just step her up the ladder quietly.
“The race in Cheltenham is two-mile one-furlong. I'd imagine I'll be trying to go out in trip with her all the time.”
Under the provisions of Rule 90, the Stewards allowed Bianca Minola (FR), trained by Richard John O'Brien, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the error identified in the certification of vaccinations would be corrected in accordance with Rule 91 within the timeframe specified.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Iconic Lady ridden by J.C. Canavan, and trained by Robert Tyner.
Evidence was heard from the rider and the trainer's Authorised representative concerned.
J.C. Canavan, stated that he was instructed to jump off in mid division, to get his mount settled, to get her to jump as best as possible and to do his best.
He added that the intention was to give his mount every chance to enjoy herself and to finish as close as possible, this being her first racecourse run.
He described that in running his mount had carried him to the home turn at which point she felt as if she had frozen under him and began to whinny.
He considered that something may be amiss and did not ask her to exert herself from that point.
He accepted that he had failed to comply with Rule 213 by failing to report post race anything that may have affected his mounts performance.
Mrs Mary Tyner, Authorised representative of Robert Tyner, confirmed the rider's instructions and added that she was initially disappointed with the rider's lack of effort in the closing stages but realised at a later stage that the animal had a clinical abnormality which explained his riding.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Iconic Lady was found to be clinically abnormal when examined post race.
The Stewards viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence.
In view of the veterinary evidence the Stewards noted the trainers explanation as given by his representative and took no further action.
The Stewards found J.C. Canavan to be in breach of Rule 213 by failing to report at first instance anything that may have affected his mounts performance and therefore cautioned him having taken into consideration that he was an inexperienced rider.
The Stewards ordered that samples be taken from Iconic Lady for analysis.
(GC & EM)
