Sarabad, near side, hunts down Wicklow Gold in Downpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
Sarabad on his second run for local trainer Colin McBratney, took the spoils in the two mile seven beginners’ chase in Downpatrick at 7/1 with Ben Dalton in the saddle.
The ex-Willie Mullins trained gelding powered up the steep finish to nail 7/4 favourite Wicklow Gold (trained by Mullins) by a head.
Colin McBratney said: “Willie (Mullins) gave me him through Harold Kirk. He had a wind operation and we cauterised his palate. He had a nice run in Fairyhouse and he improved out of it. We knew he would stay. Ben gave him a good ride. We’ll look for a wee novice for him maybe in Perth in July. He could drop back to two miles as he has plenty of pace.”
One of the owners James Marley added: “We lost one of the owners – Connor McGurk – a couple of months ago. It was him that sucked me into this horse. Denis Kelly came on board as well. We are all from Belfast.”
The Stewards interviewed P. Townend, rider of Wicklow Gold, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that P. Townend was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using the whip with excessive force and frequency and R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond. The Stewards suspended P. Townend for 2 race days having taken his good previous record into consideration. In reaching their decision the Stewards gave P. Townend the benefit of the doubt for the one hit with the whip after passing the winning post.
