Beneficial Society races away from the last, with Darkest Flyer in second© Photo Healy Racing
Lorna Fowler recorded her first track success since December 2013, as her Beneficial Society sprang a 20/1 surprise (available at 40s this morning) in the Sweeney Oil Handicap Hurdle.
The daughter of Beneficial hadn't been placed in her previous thirteen efforts, but was a decent fourth on her penultimate start at Kilbeggan.
Settled towards rear by Mark Bolger, the seven-year-old chestnut made progress into fourth from two out, and was ridden to lead before the last.
She soon went clear, and kept on well inside the final furlong to score by two and a quarter lengths. Darkest Flyer was sent off the 4/7 favourite having won at Limerick on Saturday. The Noel Meade trained gelding attempted to reel-in the winner from the last, but he ultimate had to settle for second under Jonathan Moore. Celtic Monarch (33/1) was another three lengths away in third under Paddy Kennedy for Mark McNiff, while General Gold (40/1) completed the placings four lengths back in fourth, with Robbie Colgan in the saddle for Victor Wilson.
Fowler said afterwards: "She's had every excuse - she's had a breathing op, she has allergies, we have to manage them, she lives outside and she doesn't go near a stable.
"She ran very well at Kilbeggan, we were delighted with that. She probably went a little bit too soon there, but we were delighted with the run.
"Downpatrick probably came a little bit soon after so we gave her a week in the field. We brought her back then and kept her fresh.
"We have a new sand canter —-that helps us, and I knew a hundred percent she was in the best form she's been in today - that was a certainty.
"We just needed everything else to go right. She does need everything to go right but that will have given her enormous confidence so I think we'll crack on and see when we can get back to the racecourse again."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards fined H.Beggs, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Sir Vincent in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
D.N. Russell, rider of Bee An Aristocrat trained by Paul W. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished distressed.
T.N. Brett, rider of Phantasmo trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran out of racing room and caught a heel in running.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Bee An Aristocrat, trained by Paul W. Flynn, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
