Ridestan and Conor Hoban beat Lilly The Lioness and Byron Beauty© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan fulfilled one of the more unusual requests asked of a winning trainer at Killarney today when completing a required Turf Club breathalyser test following the win of his Ridestan in the International Hotel Killarney Apprentice Handicap.
Ridden by Conor Hoban, the Aga Khan bred son of Linngari came on best in a three way battle to the winning line, eventually recording a half length win over Lilly The Lioness with a head back to third placed Byron Beauty
Hogan, in his capacity as a jockey, was due to partner Benalex Park later in the evening and with the Turf Club on breathalyser duty, later explained “I'm off to do a breath test now!”
Regarding Ridestan, who justified strong 15/8 favouritism (4/1 in the morning), he stated “Conor said there was no pace in the race and I was a small bit worried coming up the straight that he wouldn't get up.
“He's in again at Leopardstown on Thursday over a mile and a quarter which might be a furlong or two too sharp. We'll see how he is but there is a possibility he will run. He also has options at Galway in a novice hurdle on the Monday or a flat handicap on the Thursday.”
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into the circumstances whereby High Hill Beauty trained by John Joseph Murphy, and ridden by J.M. Conneely, had to be resaddled due to the wrong number cloth being fitted. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned and from P.L. Malone, Turf Club Clerk of the Scales. Having considered evidence, the Stewards cautioned John Joseph Murphy concerning his responsibility when saddling in future and also advised P.L. Malone to be more careful when observing number cloths at the time of weighing out.
The Stewards enquired into the fall of Killourney Empress ridden by C.T. Keane when rounding the bottom bend. C.T. Keane stated that his mount lost her grip on the bottom bend and slipped up independently. Having considered the evidence and viewed a recording of the incident, the Stewards were satisfied that the fall was accidental and took no further action.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined It's Freezing at the request of trainer, Seamus Fahey, and reported the animal to be lame post race.
