Scienter & Kevin Power in full flow© Photo Healy Racing
Scienter overcame a long absence to take the Family Bank Holiday Racing INH Flat Race under Kevin Power for Christy Roche. Owned by Power's father John, the five-year-old son of Shantou made his debut at Galway last July, finishing sixth of twenty behind Cul Baire. Running for the first time since, he was 5/1 this morning with Paddy Power, opening on-course at 4/1 (touching 9/2) before going off the 10/3 second favourite. He chased the leaders in the early stages and he was third at the halfway point. He was ridden to challenge three furlongs from home, hitting the front over two furlongs out, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths. Masirann kept on well to take second at 20/1 under Rachel Blackmore for John Hanlon while You Can’t Catch Me (40/1) finished a length back in third under Paul Power for Kieran Purcell, but was subsequently disaqualified (see below). The David O’Brien trained Truth Be Told was sent off the 3/1 favourite but he could only manage a disappointing fourteenth. Kevin Power said afterwards: "He ran a lovely race the first day at Galway when he wasn’t fully fit and he’s had his share of problems since. "It was nice to get the win and hopefully he will win a few hurdles"
After a lengthy Stewards Enquiry, the third placed horse, You Can't Catch Me and the fifth placed horse, Bashful Beauty were both disqualified. You Can't Catch Me collided with the rail two furlongs out, going off the course as a result. Ciaran Fennessy and Bashful Beauty were adjudged to have cause this incident and they were also disqualified.
Fennessy was then handed a ten day suspension as he was adjudged to have ridden dangerously.
This resulted in the fourth placed horse, Electuary (25/1) for Iggy Madden and Niall Kelly, being promoted to third while every other horse was subsequently promoted two places. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
