Dead-heaters Mister Butler (left, Paul Cawley) and Black Spot On (Darragh O'Keeffe) battle it out© Photo Healy Racing
The ultra-game Black Spot On dead-heated with Mister Butler in the Flood Ironworks Ltd. Handicap Hurdle at Wexford.
After his heroics recently with the sixteen-year-old See Double You, Ronan McNally was at it again here with Black Spot On, a twelve-year-old under Darragh O’Keeffe.
Mister Butler meanwhile, hasn’t lived up to his Presenting out of Cailin Alainn parentage, but he did enough on this occasion to share the spoils with front-runner Black Spot On.
Paul Cawley rode Mister Butler, now a two time scorer for the O’Mahony Partnership and handler Denis Hogan.
"I was hopeful more than confident. He kept going and I was lucky that I got good jumps at the last few. That's what kept me in it and he is all heart," said Cawley.
"That's my seventh winner on the track and second since I turned professional. I ride out for Denis and he has been very good to me down through the years. Hopefully I can keep it going now."
For his part McNally commented: “To be honest he was retired after Limerick. We put him out in the field but every day we were feeding him he was knocking us out on to the road and rocking about so we decided to give him another run.
“They done a great job watering the ground here. He needs a cut in the ground and Limerick was very fast and he didn’t like it.
"Darragh was absolutely superb. The gallop he went and to be able to give him a breather. To judge the pace and still have enough in reserve. He fired him into every hurdle. It was an 80 to 95 but he jumped like a champion hurdler!
“I thought he would die a death when they got to him at the bottom bend, but he really battled on. He was well-headed but battled. He was awesome and we are delighted.
“My friend in England had provisionally bought him to go ‘pointing’ next year, but his leg wouldn’t be that pretty so I’m glad he didn’t go!"
The Stewards interviewed J.R. Barry, trainer of Naughty Molly for failing to fit blinkers to his charge before leaving the parade ring and on the way to the start. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.R. Barry was in breach of Rule 194, in that he failed to fit the declared headgear before entering and leaving the parade ring and on the way to the start. Having considered his previous record the Stewards fined J.R. Barry €65 for failing to fit the declared headgear before entering the parade ring, and using their powers under Rule 14 fined him €100 for allowing his charge to leave the parade ring without the declared headgear, which delayed the start of the race as a result, and reminded him of his responsibilities in this regard.
The Stewards interviewed P.J. Cawley, rider of Mister Butler, concerning his use of the whip in the closing 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 satisfied that P.J. Cawley was in breach of Regulation 10.3 (g), in that he used his whip with excessive frequency, and having considered his record in this regard cautioned him on this occasion.
Rachael Blackmore, rider of Sizing Joshua trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount lost action and pulled up.
C.J. Orr, rider of My Lovely Boy (GB) trained by Thomas P.O'Connor, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and pulled up.
(DM & EM)
