Equitant wins under Shane Crosse© Photo Healy Racing
Following on from the win of Too Precious earlier Joseph O'Brien and Shane Crosse doubled their score with Equitant (5/4 favourite) in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap.
Making it two from two for current connections, Equitant was made to work but he eventually got the job done by half a length and the same from Arbourfield and Reverberation
"He was very brave. I was there a bit too soon on him but to be fair to him he put his head down when they came to him and he battled well to the line," said Crosse.
"He was the highest-rated horse coming into it and probably the form horse and he did what he wanted.
"He has got a nice bit of racing done now so he knows where the winning line is too, you just need to keep him up to it. He's a lovely little horse."
And on booting home 10 winners in the last five meetings here, he said: "You can't complain! It's all down to Joseph (O'Brien) and my agent Kevin O'Ryan. Please may it continue."
The Stewards interviewed L.T. McAteer, rider of Polly Glide concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that L.T. McAteer was in breach of Regulation 10 3, (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency.
Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards cautioned L.T. McAteer.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Polly Glide, trained by Lee Smyth, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Samples were taken for analysis.
(MG & EM)
