Free Expression leads On Impulse over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Free Expression maintained his 100% record as he took the www.naasracecourse.com Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Mark Walsh for Gordon Elliott and owner JP McManus.
The five-year-old son of Germany won a point-to-point on his debut Denis Prendergast at Dromahane in December of last year before he was purchased by his current connections.
He went off the 2/1 favourite to win the valuable Racing Post Champion Point-to-Point INH Flat Race at Fairyhouse in April and he duly obliged under Nina Carberry.
Sent off the 11/10 favourite (backed from 11/8) to make it three from three today he was prominent throughout just behind the front-running Oiche Maith
He was third entering the straight and soon came with his challenge, hitting the front on the run to the last, going on to score by four and a half lengths. On Impulse ran well to finished second at 10/1 under Bryan Cooper for Harry Kelly while Uncle Danny was third under Davy Russell for John Queally at 3/1.
Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "We'll take it one step at a time with him. We think he's a nice horse.
"I would say he could step up in trip and he might be better over two-and-a-half miles.
"The ground has been so fast we couldn't get him jumping on grass. Mark said he jumped them like fences but he won anyway which is grand."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards fined Peter Fahey, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Carrig Rua Lady in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Mount Corkish Girl trained by Mrs Gillian Callaghan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.
I.J. McCarthy, rider of Cyprian Prince trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was unable to go the early pace, jumped awkwardly , tired from the last and may benefit from a step up in trip.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Mount Corkish Girl, ridden by A.E. Lynch, and trained by Mrs Gillian Callaghan. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. A.E. Lynch stated that his instructions were to settle his mount in mid-division, get some cover to try and give her some experience and to finish as best he could. He added that the horse came under pressure in the back straight on the softer ground and he gave her a chance to fill up her lungs, before staying on past beaten horses. He concluded by saying that he pushed his mount out hands and heals in the straight to the best of his ability. Mrs Gillian Callaghan, confirmed the instructions and expressed her satisfaction with the ride. She added that the mare is small and may be suited by a step up in trip on better ground. She concluded by saying that she was very happy with today's performance and in particular with the way she finished out the race, thinking about the next day. The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Mount Corkish Girl was coughing post race. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that both trainer and rider were in breach of Rule 212, in that Mount Corkish Girl did not run on its merits and having considered their records, Mrs. Callaghan was fined €1,000, A.E.Lynch was suspended for seven race day's and the horse was suspended for sixty days.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
