Le Coq Hardi leads If You Let Me over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Le Coq Hardi provided Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead with their fifth winner in the space of a week, as he got the better of five rivals in the feature SuperValu Co. Roscommon Ladies Day Novice Hurdle.
Successful at Down Royal on his penultimate start, the Youmzain five-year-old could only manage third when tried over two-and-a-half miles on his most recent outing.
Sent off a well-backed 11/8 favourite this evening, the 118-rated bay raced mainly in third, as outsider Stenatee went clear from early.
His advantage was rapidly diminished after four out as the market leader shot to the front and while strongly pressed by If You Let Me from two out, he ultimately pulled away from that rival on the run-in.
There was two-and-three-quarters of a length between the pair at the line, while there was a further 12-lengths back to Valsorpresa in third.
Drifting from 6/4 to 13/8 before the off, Rockstown Girl faded tamely before three out and eventually finished a tailed off fourth.
"We're delighted with that. We thought after he won his maiden that stepping up to two-and-a-half miles would suit him but it was a funnily run race the last day, the winner got a freebie in front," Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, commented.
"He dropped back in trip today but I wouldn't rule out going back up to two-and-a-half at some stage.
"A strongly run two-mile, like that today, really suited him. He looked flat out most of the way, and Rachael said he was, but he keeps finding and jumps really well.
"It was quick ground and it was quick the day he won in Down Royal as well so he likes that good ground, it really suits him.
"We haven't run him on heavy ground yet but he gives the impression he want this sort of ground anyway.
"There is plenty more to look forward to."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the bend turning into the straight involving If You Let Me (GB), ridden by K.M. Donoghue, placed second, Valsorpresa (GB), ridden by Sam Ewing, placed third, Morning Soldier ridden by J.B. Foley, unplaced, and Rockstown Girl, ridden by J.P. O'Sullivan, placed fourth, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Sam Ewing stated that as he went for the gap it got tight around the bend and his boots hit off the railing. K.M. Donoghue stated that he held his line on the bend. J.P. O'Sullivan stated that his mount was going backwards at the time and was getting pushed from both sides. J.B. Foley stated that he left enough room around the bend. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found Sam Ewing was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard (first offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended him for two racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
