Nimitz shrugs aside top-weight burden to win The NR Rubber Products Handicap saw Nimitz defy top-weight to land Dundalk's second event. Cristal Icon put the pace to this race, going clear down the back straight under Sean Davis. With his saddle looking to be gone forward, Davis' mount came back to the field in the straight, and then several held claims. In the colours of Michael Keating, Billy Lee got Nimitz (11/4 favourite) home by three parts of a length from John Honeyman. Winning trainer Charles O'Brien said afterwards: "I didn't think it would take him that long to win but it's good that he finally did. The jumping boys have been on to me for a year trying to buy him as he's a fine big horse but Michael (Keating, owner) was keen to hold onto him. "He could have a run or two more here and then a break in the first bit of the turf season when it is soft. "Billy gave him a lovely ride as I told him to wait for as long as he possibly could. He was just a bit fresh tonight because he'd had a bit of a holiday over Christmas but maybe that's the way to have him." S.P. Davis, rider of Cristal Icon trained by Thomas Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung severely right throughout. The Stewards interviewed S.P. Davis, rider of Cristal Icon, 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 found the rider in breach of Reg. 10 3.(b) by using his whip when his chance had clearly gone and having taken his record into account suspended him for two race days. (AM & EM)
