Torcello and Rachael Blackmore leads them home© Photo Healy Racing
A well-backed 6/4 joint favourite, coming to Tramore hot on the heels of a Ballinrobe 'unseat' on Monday night, Torcello did the needful for trainer Andrew McNamara and rider Rachael Blackmore in the DFL Construction Ltd. Maiden Hurdle.
Owned by the Torcello Syndicate, the three time Flat winning son of Born To Sea, was too strong for his fellow market leader Gold Seal from two out.
From before the last it was left to Count Simon to do the chasing, but he could get no nearer than four lengths 'at the death.'
Following on from the success of her partner Brian Hayes in the previous race on Model Cloud Rachael Blackmore said: "I'm delighted to ride a winner for Andy because he was a great help to me when I was starting off and I'm delighted to be able to ride a winner for him. My nose (suffered a break recently) is all good."
For his part McNamara later reported by phone: "Things haven't really gone his way so far but Rachael gave him a lovely ride and got the best out of him.
"I'm currently heading over to Epsom (for the Derby) with the owners who are mostly London based.
"I'll have to talk to the lads to see where we go next. There's six involved in the horse."
McNamara has his horses in rare old order at present - this being his fourth winner in the last month from a small number of horses.
A.E. Lynch, rider of Whosasking trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake and never travelled thereafter.
J.S. McGarvey, rider of Jake Peter trained by Patrick J.Flynn, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped poorly, ran very green and never travelled through out.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Canford Lady ridden by M.J. Bolger, and trained by Seamus Fahey.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. M.J. Bolger, stated that his instructions were to drop in, settle his mount and to do the best he could.
He said his mount jumped the first few on her head but settled well thereafter and jumped well over all.
He said he rode his mount to get home as she had failed to stay the trip on her previous run and with this in mind, he allowed his mount time to fill her lungs before running on in the closing stages past tired horses.
Seamus Fahey, confirmed that the rider rode to instructions and expressed his satisfaction with the ride.
He said his charge had disappointed in the past and felt that she appeared to appreciated the better ground today.
He further added that in future, he would instruct the rider to ride her differently given how well she appeared to appreciate the better ground.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, who stated that Canford Lady had a skin graze on the inside of the left fore cannon but was otherwise post race normal.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that both rider and trainer were in breach of Rule 212 A(ii).
Having taken their previous records in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended M.J. Bolger for 5 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
The stewards fined Seamus Fahey, trainer, €2000 and suspended Canford Lady for 42 days.
(DM & EM)
