Foran Final now on Lebanon's agenda Cedars Of Lebanon (7s into 6s) wasn't for passing and she ran out a deserved winner of the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race (Plus 10 Race) at Naas. Chris Hayes led them a merry dance up the centre of the track on the smooth-travelling daughter of Dandy Man in this six furlong heat. When asked for more, Cedars Of Lebanon was game in fending off Hammersmith and Compton's Finale by a length and three parts of a length. The principals left disappointing odds-on favourite Check My Pulse six and a half lengths back in fourth. "I thought they had her a few times. The visor seems to help as she's quite lazy," said winning trainer Patrick Prendergast. "She hasn't run a bad race all year and I think in all her runs she's got us a cheque. "The last day in Listowel the visor really worked but over a mile on the soft ground there she ran out of gas a little. "We thought she had a good chance today coming back to the six on nicer ground. She's done well and she might as well go for the final now. "She'll be sold and replaced with a yearling I'd imagine. She's been lucky. "She'll be hard to place now and she'll probably be better off heading abroad." B.M. Coen, rider of Check My Pulse trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Check My Pulse, trained by Andrew Slattery, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. The Stewards interviewed C.D. Hayes, rider of Cedars Of Lebanon, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned and from the IHRB Veterinary Officer, Dr. Lynn Hillyer, MRCVS. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3 (f) by using his whip with excessive force and having taken his previous record into account suspended him for two race days. (GC & EM)
