The Ring Is King is pushed out by Sean Corby to see off Focussed (white) and Rathealy (inside)© Photo Healy Racing
Sean Corby recorded his sixth winner of the season as he took the Raglans Apprentice Handicap aboard the Paul Flynn trained The Ring Is King
The five-year-old son of Jeremy was friendless with punters on-course drifting from 7/2 to 11/2, with all the money coming for the Eddie Lynam trained handicap debutant Fantastic Dilly who was backed from 4/1 into 11/4 favouritism at the off.
The Claire Howes (Flynn’s wife) owned gelding won on his penultimate start at Dundalk and he finished a close up third behind Killourney Empress on his last outing at Ballinrobe.
Dropped back in trip to a mile this evening he was prominent throughout and he improved into second four furlongs from home.
He came under pressure two furlongs out before eventually reeling in the long-time leader Rathealy well inside the final furlong, going on to score by half a length at the line. Focussed kept on well on the outer to take second at 9/2 under Dylan Robinson for Brendan Duke, while Rathealy, who was backed from 9/2 to 10/3 on-course, finished a further head back in third under Dylan Hogan for Kevin Prendergast.
Fantastic Dilly never really looked like winning and she finished a disappointing fifth under Robbie Downey.
Paul Flynn said afterwards: "He might go to Galway. There are very few mile races around for him. I have to thank Joseph O'Brien who said he needed to drop back to a mile as he was a bit free.
"I think he might not have been the strongest finisher the last few years but maybe he might have improved a bit."
Flynn went on to talk about stable star Moon Dice saying: "He could go for the GPT (the valuable amateur handicap on the Monday night) rather than the Galway Hurdle (which he won in 2011)."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed D.E. Hogan, rider of Rathealy, placed third, trained by Kevin Prendergast, concerning the fact that he appeared to stop riding for the last few strides and finished a head behind the second placed horse.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated his horse got very tired in the last 50 yards and had no more to give.
He was of the belief he wouldn't have finished second if he rode to the line and added that this was his first ride back after injury and he was tired also.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards gave D.E. Hogan the benefit of the doubt and took no further action other than to advise him in future to ensure he rides out to the line
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
