Maudlin Magdalen is driven out by Ian Queally© Photo Healy Racing
Maudlin Magdalen registered her fourth career success as she took the Friends Of Dublin Football Apprentice Handicap under Ian Queally for Donal Kinsella.
The five-year-old daughter of Dylan Thomas was a well-beaten ninth on her seasonal reappearance at Gowran last month and she opened on-course at 14/1 this evening before going off a 10/1 chance.
Second in the early stages she got to the front five furlongs out. She was a few lengths clear entering the straight and she was pushed out inside the final furlong to score by a length. Mezogiorno (4/1 to 10/3jfav) kept on well to take second under Conor McGovern for Mick Halford while Shes No Joke was a further length and three parts back in third (later disqualified - see below) under Robbie Downey for Mark Fahey at 9/1. Knights Templar who won at Roscommon on Monday, was the other joint-favourite and he finished a disappointing sixth.
Donal Kinsella said afterwards: "She was ill last year but is back right with the help of Liam Stark from Navan who worked hard at getting her insides all cleared up. She's back to what she was hopefully."
After the race Shes No Joke was disqualified from third place when her rider weighed-in six pounds light.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr.W.Fleming, that R.P. Downey, rider of Shes No Joke, placed third, weighed in six pounds underweight.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned and also from the trainer Mark Fahey. In his evidence the trainer stated that he inadvertently left the lead back off when saddling the horse.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards disqualified Shes No Joke, in accordance with Rule 231 and fined the trainer €500, having found him in breach of Rule 148.
The Stewards requested a report from Donal Kinsella, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Maudlin Magdalen, placed first, as compared with its recent form.
The trainer reported that his charge disappointed on her last start, when wearing blinkers for the first time.
He added that he removed the equipment today and that in hindsight she may have resented them. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
