Touchedbyanangel (right, Andrew Lynch) prevailed from Go Guarantor (J J Slevin)© Photo Healy Racing
There was an Andy Oliver 1-2 in the Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick as Touchedbyanangel (10/1) led home Go Guarantor (25/1) in the penultimate contest.
Andrew Lynch did the steering on the successful grey, a son of Beneficial, and at the line he had three lengths up his sleeve on the J J Slevin partnered Go Guarantor.
Oliver said afterwards: "We ran him here the last time over a longer trip and we thought we'd bring him back. It went well and he loves that ground and loves the track.
"He's a handy horse with a good attitude. Andrew (Lynch) knows him well and gave him a great ride and said we would just try and be positive and we rode him as we said we would. It worked out perfectly.
"The other horse (Go Guarantor) ran well. He's a reluctant participant at times so unfortunately he had to be beaten by one of my own but at least he has shown a wee bit of form now.
"He has plenty of ability so hopefully that's something to work with."
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Desert Grey ridden and trained by D.G. Hogan.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount was pushed on home from the last fence, that he had nothing left in the last fifty yards and as he was going to finish out of the prizemoney places, he dropped his hands for the welfare of his mount, and that he wasn't aware that Grand Waltz was challenging on his outside.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Desert Gray was post race normal.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that D.G. Hogan was in breach of Regulation 212 A (iv), in that he had stopped riding before the finishing line and thereby forfeiting his best finishing place.
Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards severely cautioned D.G. Hogan.
(MG & EM)
