What a shot - Ben Dalton (white and purple) gets the gap to win on Star Power© Photo Healy Racing
On his first spin around Kilbeggan Star Power obviously enjoyed the unusual challenge that the County Westmeath venue presents, as he popped up at odds of 33/1 under Ben Dalton in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Dalton brought the Jackie Bolger and Ennistown Stud owned Galileo gelding though from off the pace, and he was brave in taking a gap along the rail on the run-in.
Now a six time winner, Star Power got there close home to account for He Is Top Class by half a length.
"He was trapped in and I thought he was never going to get out but thankfully it worked out," commented winning trainer Des McDonogh.
"He got injured in Galway last year, and it took nearly a year to get him back. He's turned inside out since Galway this year, and that's a nice prize to get. He's entered at Galway on Tuesday and may go there."
Jack Kennedy (7th here on Pacelli Road but a faller earlier on the card) and Ricky Doyle (came to grief when slipping up on Much Wants More approaching the straight) were both being assessed by the doctor on duty in the aftermath.
It emerged after that Ricky Doyle was fully conscious and moving all limbs but was taken for precautionary x-rays to Tullamore Hospital.
Jack Kennedy was also brought to Tullamore for x-rays on his foot, which he injured when unseated in the first race.
The Stewards enquired into the fall on the flat of Much Wants More, ridden by R.A. Doyle as they turned into the straight. S. A. Shortall reported that from his position it appeared that Much Wants More switched to the outer and caught a heel from a horse in front of him.
The Stewards confirmed this on the video evidence. R.A. Doyle was unavailable due to injury. Having considered the report and viewed a recording of the race the Stewards took no further action.
The Stewards requested a report from Desmond McDonogh, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Star Power, placed first, as compared with its recent form.
The trainer reported that he left the hood off this horse today as he had been getting too relaxed in his races recently, he also felt that today's good going was ideal and that the horse got a nice run up the inner.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(AM & EM)
