Foxy Jacks (Johnny Moore) leads Pont Aven (Adam Short) home© Photo Healy Racing
From a standing start Snugsborough Hall (pulled up before the fourth) was given no chance after being hampered, and others had their hopes seriously compromised in the Grade A Guinness Handicap Chase at Punchestown. Eventual winner Foxy Jacks was smart away and soon at the head of affairs for a length and three parts win.
Said winning rider Johnny Moore in the aftermath: “It probably helped me really (the start) as it lit him up and made him go on.
“It didn’t hinder me as he was quick off the tapes, which you have to be with a tape start like that.”
Foxy Jacks made a notable error five out but his attitude couldn’t be faulted late on as he fended off the smooth-travelling Pont Aven
Moore added: “In fairness to Mouse (Morris, winning trainer) he told me that with this fella and his light weight to go and make the running and that he wouldn’t be far away. He thought he’d be in the shake up and credit to him and his team for getting him here right.
“It was a fair performance from a novice from the front. He can be a bit sloppy at one or two but when I needed him down to the last and there was no stride he showed great bravery to come for me.
“It was great for the team (Gavin Cromwell — 2 winners) and everyone involved over at Cheltenham, the owners too deserved it, but it was probably the toughest month of my life when all that was going down (side-lined with injury and missed out).
“I’m just a very lucky boy to be in the position I’m in — to ride those horses on their big days.
“I rode the winner of this race five years ago and it’s great to do it again.”
Meanwhile Morris reflected: “He always threatened to win a big one but things have just gone wrong. He came good today and got a great ride. He’s not straight forward.
“He had a light weight and should have been third in a Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown. He made a few mistakes but they stayed together.
“Hopefully he might be a Galway Plate horse.”
E. Walsh, rider of Snugsborough Hall trained by Liam P Cusack, reported to the Clerk of Scales that a horse whipped around in front of him and finished his chance.
M.P. Walsh, rider of Ten Ten trained by J.P.Dempsey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount whipped around at the start and he had no chance as a consequence.
The Stewards enquired into both false starts and the actual start of this race.
Evidence was heard from Mr. P.F. Graffin, IHRB starter, B. Hayes, rider of Livelovelaugh J.J. Slevin, rider of Mortal J.C. Gainford, rider of Minella Till Dawn and D.P. Maxwell, rider of Lord Schnitzel
Mr Graffin stated that at the first false start he had no option but to call a false start as it was before the off time.
In relation to the second false start he stated that only some of the riders had obeyed his instructions and some had pre-empted the start causing him to call the riders back again.
In relation to the actual start he stated that all riders were facing the right direction when under starters orders and a fair start was effected.
He added that due to tight space from a standing start some runners were inconvenienced and M.P. Walsh, rider of Ten Ten choose not to take part.
J.J. Slevin accepted that he had failed to obey the starters instructions on two occasions and apologised for this.
B. Hayes stated that he made every effort to obey the starters instructions and pulled up immediately when told to do so. He further added that the start area was very tight.
J.C. Gainford accepted that he had disobeyed the starters instructions and apologised for his actions.
J.M. Moore stated that he made every effort to obey the starters instructions.
D.P. Maxwell stated that his horse was keen and he jumped forward when the horses around him and was of the opinion that he made every effort to obey the starters instructions.
Having viewed the recording of the incidents and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that ultimately a fair start had been effected, however they referred the matter to the Registrar of the I.N.H.S committee for further investigation.
(AM & EM)
