No Trouble (black and white) wins under Seamie Heffernan © Photo Healy Racing
After Adams Barbour in the opener, another Dundalk stalwart came to the fore in the BetVictor Casino Handicap when No Trouble (8/1) gained his fifth win at the venue.
John McConnell ’s six-year-old was well-positioned in a fairly steadily-run contest and turned for home in fourth place. He came through to lead at the furlong marker and stayed on well to defeat Dances With Stars and Harriet’s Force by half a length and the same.
Seamie Heffernan, winning for the fourth time on No Trouble, said: “He's a No Nay Never who stays. John and the owners liked him a lot, he's gone up a lot but I'm hoping that's not his limit.
“He's very genuine and very sound. He's mature enough now to show you what he has.”
The winning rider was found by the stewards to have used his whip a couple of times from above shoulder-height. Given his previous record, he was hit with an eleven-day suspension. Heffernan subsequently indicated when interviewed on Racing TV that he would not be appealing the penalty.
Hugh Horgan, who partnered runner-up Dances With Stars, also fell foul of the stewards who found that he had used his whip without allowing his mount at least three strides to respond. He was handed a six-day suspension.
Quotes from Gary Carson