Get My Drift and Jody McGarvey© Photo Healy Racing
With a first-time tongue-strap on Get My Drift (9/2) struck in the 'Join tote.ie With A 10 Risk Free Bet' Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Front-running favourite Micro Manage had no answer to the Mouse Morris-trained and Jody McGarvey-ridden Get My Drift from before the final flight.
On his second hurdles outing Gee Rex ran well at 40/1, but he was never getting to the J P McManus-owned victor on the run-in and two and a half lengths separated them at the line.
“He's a nice horse and he jumps well. The better ground was a help to him,” said Morris.
“I was expecting to be second but we'll take everything. He ran well on bottomless ground last time.
“We'll look for a winners of one now. He'll be better with another year under his belt.
“That's a nice Christmas present.”
The Stewards interviewed Jack Brendan Foley, rider of Gee Rex, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that Jack Brendan Foley was in breach of R10(3)(c) by continuing to use his whip when he had obtained his best possible placing and R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous recent record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Jack Brendan Foley for 7 racedays.
(GC & EM)