Fairyhouse Preview
By Brian O'Connor
Win Dalus, the horse originally placed third in the last race at Thurles on Thursday, was publicly given his correct finishing position yesterday - almost 22 hours after he passed the post.
A Turf Club press release yesterday afternoon officially announced the reversal of the original second and third placings for the Clonouty Flat Race won by Twotiming Gent.
Win Dalus is now second and Time To Lead third after the Judge at Thurles, former top amateur jockey Paddy Graffin, misread which horse had got the benefit of a short head verdict in the photo finish.
Graffin was having his first day in the judging role and quickly realised his mistake but by the time he had, the 'winner alright' had been called.
The embarrassing slip up had a negligible result, however, as the forecast result on the Tote was paid on the original first and third anyway.
The stewards of the INHS, after being notified by Graffin, used their powers under Rule 41(ii) to reverse the placings yesterday and the Turf Club chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: 'He called it wrong. It's unfortunate but it sometimes happens.'
At Fairyhouse tomorrow, the Grand National winner Bobbyjo makes his second start of the season in the Sutherland River Handicap Hurdle and the officially forecast 'yielding' ground should be much more to his liking than last month over the same course and distance.
For betting purposes, however, the best option may be to wait until the final race of the day where 16-year-old Tom Dreaper rides Tempting Touch for his father Jim in the Bumper.
Placed on both starts to date, Tempting Touch has run into some decent sorts, notably It Takes Time who has since joined Martin Pipe and is regarded as a Cheltenham candidate. It's doubtful if there is a rival of similar quality in tomorrow's field and young Dreaper is saddled with the nap vote.
On the ground, the smart Rathbawn Prince should be extremely hard to beat in the Beginners Chase while Southsea Native could be the value pick in the Grade Three handicap hurdle.
