Celtic Rising and Andrew Lynch© Photo Healy Racing
He had a fall and a second place sandwiched in between, but race four at Down Royal saw Andrew Lynch bring up a double, aboard Celtic Rising in the Sean Graham Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle.
A point-to-point winner at the start of his career for Donnchadh Doyle, Roger Brookhouse and Henry de Bromhead's charge was favourite here on the back of a good Limerick second placing.
Victorious on Tom Taaffe's Goose Man in the opener, Lynch was content to sit off the trailing blazing Vecheka
When in front over the closing few hurdles Celtic Rising jumped well and was always at his ease to dispose of Falak and First Figaro by six lengths and two and three parts of a length.
"He has improved with each of his runs. He loved the ground," reported Lynch.
"I was happy enough to let him (the leader) go. Once my lad was settled I was grand.
"You would imagine he would get further."
The Stewards fined D.Broad, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Jimmy Rabbitte in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.
The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
The Stewards fined K.J. Brouder, nominated rider of Likethemudda €200 for failing to present himself to be weighed out as required under Rule 196 (v).
L.P. Gilligan, rider of Harrys Lane trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount didn't handle the ground.
D.F. O'Regan, rider of Speaker Connolly trained by Alan Fleming, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled on the ground.
A. Ring, rider of Likethemudda trained by P. E. Collins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran free early on and hung thereafter.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Jack Wade ridden by J.P. O'Sullivan, and trained by P.J.Rothwell.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. J.P. O'Sullivan, stated that his instructions were to drop his mount in and give him every chance to finish well.
He stated that he put his mount into the race the whole way around and that he was satisfied with his finishing place considering Jack Wade's previous poor form.
Having viewed a recording of the race, J.P. O' Sullivan was of the opinion that he could have ridden a bit stronger by using his whip, however this would not have improved his finishing position.
P.J. Rothwell stated that he instructed J.P. O' Sullivan to drop his charge in at the back and to give him every chance to get home.
Jack Wade has struggled in his 2 previous runs and in P.J. Rothwell's opinion riding him this way would give him the best chance of finishing well.
P.J. Rothwell also stated that his charge has improved since receiving a wind operation three months ago, and that he was satisfied with today's result.
Having viewed a recording of the race, P.J. Rothwell was of the opinion that J.P. O' Sullivan should have ridden more aggressively in the latter stages of this race.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Jack Wade was post race normal and samples were taken for analysis.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanation offered by P.J. Rothwell.
The Stewards were of the opinion that J.P. O' Sullivan was in breach of Rule 212 A (ii), and having considered his record in this regard suspended him for 5 racedays and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee.
As a consequence of J.P. O'Sullivan's actions the Stewards suspended Jack Wade for 42 days.
(MG & EM)
