Patsio clears the last for Brian O'Connell© Photo Healy Racing
Patsio ended a frustrating run of placed efforts over hurdles when taking the opening Boomerang Animal Bedding Maiden Hurdle in decisive fashion at Tipperary.
The market was dominated by the Shay Barry-trained 9/4 winner and 8/11 shot Theos Well but the favourite spoiled his chance with some poor jumping and weakened quickly after a blunder two out.
Brian O'Connell sent Patsio, successful in a bumper for Philip Fenton last year, to the front approaching the last and he stayed on well on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths. All About Alfie took the runner-up spot, with the pace-setting Mayameen another length and a quarter back in third.
Barry said, "He won his bumper and then was placed in this race last year but you wouldn't believe it would take him 12 months to win again!
"He has been consistent though and never runs a bad race. Brian gave him a great ride as he can be difficult and quite keen. He galloped the whole way to the line today though.
"We'll tip away with him for the summer as he goes on nice ground."
The winner is owned by Colm Herron, from Donegal.
The connections of ninth-placed Hunters Of Acres were in hot water with the stewards following a running and riding enquiry, with the full text of the Turf Club report as follows:
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Hunters Of Acres, ridden by F.J. Hayes, and trained by John M.Burke. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. F.J. Hayes, stated that his instructions were to settle his mount in seventh or eighth and give it plenty of light, allowing her to jump with confidence. He added that the mare got close to most of her hurdles and didn't jump with any fluency. He concluded by saying that his charge would be suited by better ground, having lost her action completely turning into the straight, on ground softer than she would like.
John M.Burke, confirmed the instructions adding that he wanted the horse to get a nice school to get her confidence back, having previously fallen. He added that his charge was improving with racing and was fifty per cent fit on her last run and eighty per cent for today. The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Hunters Of Acres was post race normal.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the trainer was in breach of Rule 212, having run a horse in a condition that precluded her chance of winning, for the purpose of giving them a school and having considered his record, fined him €1,500 and suspended Hunters Of Acres for 42 days. Furthermore the stewards found the rider in breach of Rule 212, having failed to take all reasonable measures to obtain his best possible placing and having considered his record, suspended him for fourteen race days and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. In addition, the rider was found to be in breach of Rule 213, having failed to report at the first instance anything that may have affected the horse's performance and having considered his record, suspended him for two race days.
(TW & AM)
