Hassett loses his claim and that's Official

Rated a lowly 67 but equipped with a first-time tongue-strap and beginning life for a new yard, that of Martin Hassett, Bills Official come home in front at odds of 33/1 in the Friday Feeling Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.

Six starts 'between the flags,' and seven more on the racecourse proper, had yielded little for the now nine-year-old Bills Official (Shane Hassett up), but it was a different story here as he was always to the fore on the way to a four and a quarter length win from Finea

Martin Hassett said: "We were very confident and Shane who is my nephew lost his claim with that. That's how to ride a 33/1 shot and that's how you lose your claim. I'm delighted he lost his claim on one of mine.

"He's a dinger that horse. He had lost his spark and we tried different things with him since we got him. We tried him over banks and he's been showing more at home. We had him tongue-tied which also helped.

"We'll see how he comes out of that. He could run in ten days to a fortnight. I have four horses in training and three have won. I'm delighted for the owner, Tim Lonergan, who is from Dublin."

The Stewards received a report from Paul Murtagh , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Mr J.J. King , rider of Finea , weighed in at 1.6 lbs overweight.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he had lost 4lbs to ride at this weight and had a drink of water after weighing out.

Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr J.J. King was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for 1 raceday.

(MG & EM)