Joey Sheridan pictured after completing his double© Photo Healy Racing
Autumnal Breeze completed a double for Joey Sheridan and Denis Hogan, as she came from off the pace to land the Tipperary Handicap.
An encouraging fourth on her second start at Cork last season, she failed to make an impact on her next four outings.
Available at 40/1 in early shows for this five-furlong contest, the Ray Treacy owned bay was eventually sent off at 16/1.
Towards rear in the early stages, the Bungle Inthejungle bay made good progress from the two furlong pole.
She swept through to lead inside the final 200 yards and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, going on to score by a length.
The Colin Keane ridden So Majestic (9/1) finished second for owner/trainer Katie McGivern, while Coco Hill and Zaza Zut dead-heated for third, another half-a-length back.
Sent off the 2/1 favourite, El Tesoro ran no sort of race and finished towards rear.
"Denis has gone home and is probably haying horses now so will be delighted," Sheridan, on his final day claiming 3lb, remarked.
"Her form wasn't the best last year but went very weak and strengthened up a lot during the winter. In fairness to Denis and Ray they gave her plenty of time and let her come into her work, rather than forcing her and it paid dividends today.
"We went absolutely flat out, she was off the bridle and thought if she ran on for a place I'd be delighted but she fairly sluiced through them and they stopped a furlong out. She had a good look in front so will improve again and is off a nice mark.
"Ray is a great owner in the yard and is very good to everyone he knows around Cloughjordan."
Sheridan and Hogan earlier claimed the opener with Big Baby Bull
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined El Tesoro, trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr A. Ring, regarding the failure of J. Kearney, rider of Reinforce placed sixth to weigh in after this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he had erred and forgot to weigh in. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards using their powers under Rule 230, disqualified Reinforce. As a consequence, they amended the result to read as follows: Amended result: First: Autumnal Breeze, Second: So Majestic, Third: dead heat between Coco Hill and Zaza Zut, Fifth: Spirit Of Eagles Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion J. Kearney was in breach of Rule 227 and having considered his record in this regard, they suspended him for three racedays and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee. Fran Berry accompanied J. Kearney at this enquiry.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
