Fury Road (nearest) and Delvino jump the last together © Photo Healy Racing
Despite providing friendless with punters, Fury Road just prevailed in the four-runner Grade 2 Eventsec Chase.
Successful at the highest level last season, the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old was well-beaten at the Dublin Racing Festival but was a gallant second to Ahoy Senor at Aintree, rounding off his campaign by finishing third at Punchestown.
As short as 11/10 in early shows for this extended two mile, three furlong contest, the Gigginstown owned eight-year-old eventually went off a 7/2 chance under Jack Kennedy.
Having raced mainly in third, the son of Stowaway was ridden to challenge approaching the second last and soon improved into a share of the lead.
A ding-dong battle with Delvino ensued and just a short head separated the pair at the line.
It was a heart-breaking defeat for the Dermot McLoughlin trained mare in second. Returned a well-supported 7/2 chance (8s early) under Darragh O'Keeffe, she carried over a stone less than the winner.
.Fighter Allen was returned the well-supported 11/10 favourite and he finished a disappointing last.
"Jack gave him a great ride. He said he wasn't in love with the ground," Elliott said.
"He'll improve from that going forward, he galloped the whole way.
"We'll step him up in trip, he wants further, but I love the way from the top of the hill down he galloped the whole way.
"It was a fair effort giving the mare (Delvino) that weight."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Delvino, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, D.J. O'Keeffe admitted that he had marginally breached the whip guidelines in relation to frequency. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.J. O'Keeffe was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended D.J. O'Keeffe for one raceday.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fighter Allen (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Owing to the low elevation of the sun, the Stewards granted permission for fence #3 to be omitted from this race
At the request of the Stewards, P. Townend, rider of Fighter Allen (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount raced too keen in the early part of the race and later on, stopped quickly.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
