Lady Bluebird goes on from Instant Tendance© Photo Healy Racing
Lady Bluebird got the better of the favourite Instant Tendance in the mares' bumper at Punchestown to seal a first racecourse success for jockey Eoghan Finegan.
The 6/1 chance tracked the leaders and improved to tackle and pass Instant Tendance at the furlong pole. The six-year-old mare kept on nicely to come by two lengths from Instant Tendance with Glendaars Fortune (12/1) the same distance back in third.
Trainer Hugh Finegan said: “Eoghan is my nephew and that’s his first winner on the track. He’s had a few winners in point-to-points and he’s a serious rider.
“I got it all wrong with this mare and ran her on good ground the last day at Thurles. She needs heavy ground and a trip, but is as hardy as you’ll get.
“It’s after taking her six runs to win, but I think that’s trainer error!
“She’s won her bumper, and we’ll go hurdling with her now. She’s a serious jumper.”
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr R.W. Barron, rider of Glendaars Fortune, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Mr. R.W. Barron accepted he was in breach of the regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found Mr. R.W. Barron in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and in considering his record in this regard they suspended him for eight racedays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
