Coolflighter (left) and Flaviana © Photo Healy Racing
The 188BET.co.uk Handicap Hurdle at Wexford today was won in the Stewards’ Room as first-passed-the-post Flaviana was demoted to second behind short-head 'second' Coolfighter which received a bump from his rival on the run-in.
The pair jumped the final flight together but Flaviana, under Robbie Power, jumped slightly right and bumped Coolfighter, under David Splaine, early on the run-in. The interference was subsequently deemed sufficient to have the result amended and Coolfighter claimed his tenth career win.
Coolfighter was winning his fourth race for trainer Noel Dooly, who claimed the eight year old gelding following his Claimer win for trainer Tony Mullins at Tramore in August 2014. Prior to that win, the son of Black Sam Bellamy had won five times in his native Germany.
Coolfighter's win was coming at the expense of the Jessica Harrington trained, Power ridden Flaviana who were earlier successful with Bright Tomorrow in the opening race.
Following the Enquiry, Dooly stated "I thought it was the right outcome. If it was a 'neck' fair enough but he got two good bumps and was taken off his line and was only beaten a short-head.
"It took him a long time to learn how to settle but he will drop in now and you can ride him as you like.
"He might run at Gowran on Saturday in a 0-102 handicap hurdle."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy
