Corey McGivern and Run For Pat a winning combination© Photo Healy Racing
Run For Pat (7/1) wasn't lacking in fitness on his first start since October as he plundered the concluding Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle in Fairyhouse.
Corey McGivern produced him at the second-last flight and the pair soon moved clear.
The only horse able to try and get involved at that stage was Waittillitellyou (7/2jf), but the leader, who didn't put in his best jump at the last, was tough on the run-in as passed the post with two and three quarter lengths in hand. Hardwired came in a remote third at 9/1.
This gave Gordon Elliott a double on the card as he also won with Found A Fifty with Davy Russell in the plate.
Assistant trainer Lisa O'Neill said: “Corey gave him a lovely ride. He hasn't run in a while and he was freshened up a little bit.
“He's done it really well, I thought when he got in tight to the last he might throw it away but he's done it nicely.
“He goes away through that ground and Corey got on really well with him. He travelled really sweetly with him, which he tends not to do at times.
“It's great for the owners, the Sloan family, and hopefully there are a few more left in him.”
The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Starter, Mr J.R. Banahan, that C.D Smithers, rider of Millen To One K. Callaghan, rider of Mercury Lane C. McGivern, rider of Run For Pat, M.J.M O'Sullivan, rider of Beating The Odds S. O'Callaghan, rider of Hardwired, C.M. Quirke, rider of Waittillitellyou, L.A. McKenna, rider of Native Gold P. Byrnes, rider of Chosen Diamond and C. Owens, rider of Royal Rhythm had failed to obey his instructions and caused a false start. Evidence was heard from the starter and riders concerned. Mr J.R. Banahan stated that he had informed the riders to stand and that they were not to come forward until the flag was dropped. In their evidence, all riders accepted Mr Banahans report that they had failed to obey his instructions at the start. Having viewed the recording of the incident and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that all riders were in breach of Rule 208 (v)(b) by failing to comply with the Starters instructions. Having taken their previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended all riders, C.D. Smithers, K. Callaghan, C. McGivern, M.J.M. O'Sullivan, S. O'Callaghan, C.M. Quirke, L.A. McKenna, P. Byrnes, and C. Owens for one raceday.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
