Sheila's Hope and Tom Madden hold Vastonea and Dylan Hogan© Photo Healy Racing
"She bounced back and I'd say the ground was a big factor the last day. I was even worried about this ground being too slow for her," admitted John McConnell after his Sheila's Hope took the Waterboys Apprentice Handicap at Leopardstown under Tom Madden.
That likeable veteran Vastonea did his level best, but he couldn't quite get to all the way victor Sheila's Hope. A neck was the winning margin.
"She just has the knack. She was in great nick and we've really freshened her up, and haven't done too much with her. She has been bouncing around the place. You never know how far they'll go," elaborated McConnell.
"The owner likes to pick his races and I think he has a couple lined up, depending on whether we lost or won.
"Obviously we'll be going up again but it all depends on ground. If she didn't get the ground she wouldn't run again his year. It wouldn't bother us, she doesn't have to.
"She's the type of filly that could actually strengthen as she has a big frame and is still light. If she strengthened up again she could be nice next year.
"Tom was easing up a furlong-and-a-half out the last time and that was perfect as I didn't really want to run her.
"We said we'd chance her once on the ground, and maybe I was wrong but I wasn't.
"Hopefully she'll go on again but she doesn't owe us anything anyway."
Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Two For Tea trained by E. D. Delany, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.
The Stewards requested a report from John C. McConnell, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Sheila's Hope, placed first, as compared with its recent run.
John C. McConnell reported that his charge had run very consistently on good to firm ground conditions but was unable to handle the soft ground conditions on her most recent run at Gowran Park on the 28th July.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
(GC & EM)
