Flaviana (Robbie Power) leads from Walkabout (Jack Kennedy)© Photo Healy Racing
As ever there was incident aplenty in another well contested race such as this at the County Westmeath venue. The Like Kilbeggan Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Hurdle eventually went to Flaviana under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.
The successful Flemensfirth mare, now two from two at Kilbeggan, eventually got home by a length from the gambled-on favourite Walkabout
Third home Call Me Pj can be considered unlucky though - badly hampered when attempting to challenge on the inner from before the straight. He was eventually just a head off the front pair.
"She's a lot stronger mare than last year and is seeing out her races better," said Power.
"That good ground is the key to her. She jumped well the whole way today.
"I was probably in front a bit sooner than ideal and she was having a good look about but when I gave her a smack after the last she was never going to be beaten."
Unfortunately The Ring Is King was a fatality when pulling up on the bend after the second.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference after the second last hurdle involving Call Me Pj, ridden by Mr B. Browne, placed third, Flaviana, ridden by R.M. Power, placed first, Cest Notre Gris ridden by S.W. Flanagan, placed sixth and Ardview Boy ridden by S.J. Gray, placed fifth, where it appeared Cal Me Pj ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.
(GC & EM)
