Run Ran Run, near side, just pips Desert Haven © Photo Healy Racing
There was just a short head between Run Ran Run and Desert Have when they were placed in Naas last month and in the Curragh today, just a nose separated them.
They competed against each other in the six-furlong maiden and it was Desert Haven who soon led under Colin Keane.
Run Ran Run travelled well to pick him off inside the final furlong and he looked to be home for Andrew Slattery in the closing stages.
Keane conjured up a rallying finish from Desert Haven close home, though, to force a photograph. There was also a stewards' enquiry as Run Ran Run slightly bumped Desert Haven.
Run Ran Run, the even-money favourite, got the verdict by a nose from the 9/4 runner-up and the result stood. First Gentleman was backed from 14/1 to 8/1 and came in a length away in third.
Fozzy Stack said: "He’s not a bad horse and probably wants the ground better than he’s had it. He travelled well through the race and doesn’t kill himself when he gets to the front.
“There is a three-year-old handicap at Naas in a few weeks that might suit him.”
This brought up a double for Stack as he saddled Bright Legend to win race three on the card.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference near the finish involving Desert Haven (GB), ridden by C.T. Keane, placed second, First Gentleman, ridden by S. Foley, placed third, Run Ran Run, ridden by A.J. Slattery, placed first, and Roaming Star ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed fourth, where it appeared that Run Ran Run initially went to the right and into the racing line of First Gentleman before moving back to the left and possibly making contact with Desert Haven (GB). Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, C.T. Keane stated that his mount received contact from Run Ran Run close to the winning post which he felt had cost him a better placing. S. Foley stated that Run Ran Run had run around and momentarily into his racing line causing him to take a precautionary check. J.A. Heffernan stated that he received marginal interference which had no effect on his final placing. A.J. Slattery stated that his mount had ran around when coming off the bridle and he did his best to straighten him by changing his whip three times. He added that in his opinion, his mount made contact with Desert Haven (GB) as the two horses crossed the finish line. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and took no further action.
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Adrian O'Shea, rider of sixth-placed Surviving Murmansk concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Adrian O'Shea admitted that he had breached the whip guidelines for frequency. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Adrian O'Shea was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended Adrian O'Shea for four racedays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
