Alhajjaj and Danny Sheehy© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Sheehy featured with his brother Mikey on last night’s RTE Ear To The Ground programme and he starred this evening at Dundalk in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap aboard 20/1 shot Alhajjaj
Sheehy soon built a sizeable lead on the Anthony McCann-trained grey.
It was apparent from some way out that the Rita Shah-owned previously out-of-form seven-year-old would be difficult to peg back.
To his great credit, Moving Forward (12/1 — 14/1 — 9/1) got to within half a length, but the line came in time for Alhajjaj.
Second in the corresponding event twelve months back, Alhajjaj’s performance here prompted McCann to say: “He was acting the maggot at the start, he didn't want to go forward, and I just said to Danny 'when you get him out send him'.
“We thought he had a bit of a chance because of the weight he was carrying.
“He's been a bit of a naughty boy at home the last few weeks, just hasn't wanted to go through with his work.
“We took him up here two or three weeks ago and he enjoyed it again. It was something different.
“Nothing followed him today, thank-God. If they had followed him he probably would have fired the toys out of the pram.
“He has the ability to do it and he showed it there today. We'll try and get him in somewhere quick again.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Sheisdiesel (GB), trained by Noel Meade, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
At the request of the Stewards, C.T. Keane, rider of Sheisdiesel (GB), trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that he was comfortable with the position his mount held during this race but she failed to pick up when asked to do so.
At the request of the Stewards, R.P. Whelan, rider of Politicise trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount which was stepping up in trip had struggled to go the pace but plugged on in the closing stages without quickening.
At the request of the Stewards, C.D. Hayes, rider of Moving Forward, trained by Madeleine Tylicki, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was flat out in the back straight and was struggling to go the pace but finished well suggesting that he may need a longer trip.
The Stewards requested a report from Anthony McCann, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Alhajjaj (GB), placed first, as compared with its recent run where he finished 29 lengths last of 13 runners here on the 31st January.
Anthony McCann reported that his charge raced over the shorter distance of one mile the last day without headgear fitted but today over the longer trip, the gelding got a soft lead and held on well.
He added that his charge can be very quirky and before entering the starting stalls the tactics were changed from holding up the horse to allowing him to bowl along.
He felt that the application of a hood probably had little positive effect as the horses mood determines his willingness to perform to his best ability.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
(GC & EM)
