Golden Christmas run continues for McKiernan and Browne After wins for Life Isfor Living and Best Behavior at Limerick and Leopardstown over Christmas, Oliver McKiernan and Barry Browne’s golden Christmas run continued through Mister Eddman’s win in race five at Punchestown. This Happy New Year From Tote Handicap Hurdle saw much of the pre-race attention focus on Burlesque Queen (5/2) and Brawler (9/4 favourite). However they had to settle for third and fifth respectively as Mister Eddman (backed earlier and returned a 6/1 shot) came through from mid-division to beat Avellino by a length and three parts. “He jumped well and travelled well enough. I thought it was competitive and that he had a chance of finishing in the first three or four. He finished out the race strong," said McKiernan. “The goodish ground helped him today. We made too much use of him the last day and he ran out of petrol. We held him up a bit today and he travelled better and finished stronger. He could stay further.” The Stewards requested a report from Oliver McKiernan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Mister Eddman, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Punchestown on the 8th December. Oliver McKiernan reported that his charge made the running the last day and failed to relax on soft underfoot conditions whereas today with a cross nose band applied, his charge got good cover and relaxed on better underfoot conditions. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report. The Stewards interviewed B. Browne, rider of Mister Eddman, 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 B. Browne was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended B. Browne for 1 raceday. (AM & EM)
