Hassett back at no. 1 with gambled-on winner

It's been about two years since the Donie Hassett yard sampled success on the racecourse proper but that drought ended when Shar Whats Therush (9s from 14s on track and bigger earlier) landed a gamble in the Book Winter Festival Tickets Online At fairyhouse.ie Handicap Hurdle.

With a first-time tongue-strap deployed, the four-year-old Doyen gelding prevailed in this two and a half miler by four and a quarter lengths, from market-leader Artic Pearl

"It happens so seldom that it's badly needed. That was nice," said Hassett.

"He was second in a point-to-point last year at Belharbour and pulled a muscle in his back. Then we gave him the year and he was green and wasn't 100 percent over that.

"We let him off for a summers grass and I thought he'd run better than he did at Listowel, I was a bit disappointed with him. He jumped very green and it was his first time in a handicap.

"Philip (Enright, winning jockey) schooled him in Tipperary for me and he said to put a tongue-tie on him. We brought him to Dromahane two weeks ago with the tongue-tie and he was a different horse.

"Hopefully we've got the key to him now."

Owing to the low lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for hurdle number 5 to be omitted from both circuits of the race

The Stewards enquired into possible interference after the last hurdle involving Artic Pearl (GB), ridden by R. Loughran, placed second and Mystic Embarr ridden by A.E. Lynch, placed third, where it appeared that Artic Pearl (GB) left Mystic Embarr short of room and contact was made between both horses.

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 Judges placing's and took no further action.

R.M. Power, rider of Crazyheart trained by Paul Nolan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost his action and pulled up.

R. Loughran, rider of Artic Pearl (GB) trained by Martin Brassil, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right after the last.

(GC & EM)