O'Brien brothers get pacey Lady off mark on 3rd start Lady Penelope (8/11 into 4/7) took the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden at Down Royal for brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien. The successful daughter of Night Of Thunder was getting off the mark at the third time of asking and her form figures now read '321.' After Lady Penelope had convincingly accounted for Mutiny by three and a quarter lengths in this sprint after making all O'Brien's assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "It was (a good opportunity). Look she's very professional and around here you've got to be quick and she was sharp and she has got loads of speed. "I think five (furlongs) is probably her optimum. She rolled down the hill and look she has won so it will be interesting to see, especially over five furlongs, whether we would be able to get a bit of black type into her later on. "She has plenty of pace. The last time she looked like she was going to win and she just met one on the day. "I'm sure Joseph (O'Brien) will find something for her now after that." C.T. Keane, rider of Eloquent Poet trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stumbled approximately three and a half furlongs out. W.J. Lee, rider of Musical Rue trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left throughout. The Stewards enquired into an incident approximately three and a half furlongs from the finish involving Eloquent Poet, ridden by C.T. Keane, and Mutiny, ridden by S. Foley, where it appeared Eloquent Poet stumbled. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards in light of the inconclusive video evidence could apportion no blame to any individual rider and took no further action. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Musical Rue, trained by W. McCreery, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. (MG & EM)
