Politicise and Darragh O'Keeffe lead Anna Bunina and Simon Torrens home© Photo Healy Racing
If its big winners at the summer and autumn festivals you’re after, look no further than the Dooley Thoroughbred colours, in conjunction with trainer Ado McGuinness. They struck today through Camelot gelding Politicise in the Grade B Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.
Dooley Thoroughbred share 25/1 chance Politicise with Shamrock Thoroughbreds, and these black and red silks got a successful airing at Galway back in July.
There Saltonstall won the COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap for the second year running. The same connections Current Option won the ‘Ahonoora’ at Ballybrit too.
Here Politicise and runner-up Anna Bunina had no less than ten lengths in hand of the third, Red Gerry
In the closing stages Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount Politicise proved three lengths too strong for Anna Bunina.
"That was a rare jumps winner for the team and I'm delighted. We won it back in '04 with Victram so a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then,” said McGuinness’ assistant Stephen Thorne.
"I'm delighted for the Dooleys (owners) who teamed up with my Shamrock (Racing syndicate) lads to co-own the horse, and my own family and close friends are involved.
"Today's pot is the pot we wanted and he ran a cracker in Galway in a novice hurdler and his big asset is his jumping as he is very accurate and Darragh gave him the most wonderful ride.
"He is a lovely dual purpose horse and we will give him a break during the winter and go back novice chasing next year. We'll look for a flat pot with him next."
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. P.L. Malone, that J.G. Gilligan, rider of Marmolata had presented himself to weigh out at 2lbs overweight, which was not declared at declaration time as required under the provisions of Rule 195(i).
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that this was the case.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the overweight on this occasion having consulted with a representative of the trainer.
Furthermore, the Stewards were satisfied that J.G. Gilligan was in breach of Rule 198(vii)A and having considered his record, they fined him €150 and advised that he liaise with the I.H.R.B. Medical Officer with regard to his weight.
(TW & EM)
