Puturhandstogether and Dylan Browne McMonagle (left) lead home Siege Of Troy and Ben Coen (wine)© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Puturhandstogether completed a double for Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle, as he claimed the Businessplus.ie Handicap.
Third and second on recent starts at Gowran, the Caravaggio bay was available at 5/1 in early shows for this mile-and-a-quarter contest, eventually going off the 5/2 favourite in the colours of JP McManus.
Racing mainly in second and pushed along on entering the straight, the 79-rated bay was ridden to lead with just over a furlong to go and maintained his advantage all the way to the line, coming home half-a-length to the good.
While top-weight Siege Of Troy (9/2) threw down a challenge inside the final furlong, she ran around a bit in the closing stages and ultimately had to settle for second.
Bidding for his fourth win in-a-row, Lord Church was another length-and-a-quarter back in third.
"He ran well in Gowran the last day and this track and ten furlongs suited him today," O'Brien, who was earlier on the mark with Rudi's Apple commented.
"I thought he did well to keep fighting all the way to the line as he was in the firing line all the way up the straight.
"We'll look to see if there is something again over ten furlongs for him."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Siege Of Troy (GB), ridden by B.M. Coen, placed second, and Lord Church, ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed third, where it appeared there was contact between the two. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. B. M. Coen stated that his mount was raw and rolled around. R. P. Whelan stated that both horses leaned into one another. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
S. Foley, rider of Slurricane trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran keen early on.
K.G. Kennedy, rider of It'sonlyjustbegun trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got a bit unbalanced at the top of the hill.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident at the top of the hill involving It'sonlyjustbegun, ridden by K.G. Kennedy, unplaced, and Promo Queen ridden by R.C. Colgan, unplaced, where it appeared Promo Queen ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. K. G. Kennedy stated that his mount is big and raw and leaned in on the bend. R. C. Colgan stated that he received pressure from his outside and had to take a check. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action other than to remind R. C. Colgan to report to scales anything that may have affected the running of his mount.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
