Deilginis (J J Slevin, left) jumps past Shakeytry and Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
Well-backed from double figures earlier to a returned 5/1, Deilginis won on her third start over fences in the Best Odds Guaranteed at MansionBet Beginners Chase at Cork.
In the familiar Martin O’Sullivan colours J J Slevin did the steering on the daughter of Flemensfirth for Joseph O’Brien. Shakeytry tried to fend her off when she arrived on the scene finishing out her race strongly between the final two.
Deilginis proved best up the run-in to beat her aforementioned market-leading opponent by three and three parts of a length.
"She is a nice staying mare and loves soft ground. She is a funny one because she always hits a flat spot in her races but she comes home well. It looked like she was maybe in trouble at the last one down the back but JJ said her jumping kept her in it all the way," said O'Brien.
"The conditions of the race were perfect - well I'd have put another half mile on it maybe, and the soft ground was a big help to her.
"She can go for a handicap chase up in trip next - she might be higher rated over fences than hurdles after that but probably not by much."
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. P.L. Malone, that D.P. Maxwell, rider of Flamingo's Court had weighed in at 8.1 lbs light.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his saddle had started to slip back in the straight but he was unaware until he had pulled up that he had lost his lead cloth during the race.
Andrew McNamara, trainer of Flamingo's Court stated that his charge was an angular mare and he had fitted a breast plate and tightened the girth before leaving the parade ring.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards disqualified Flamingo's Court from fourth place in accordance with Rule 231.
The amended result now reads; First - Deilginis. Second - Shakeytry, Third - First Class Return Fourth - Muyam Spirit and Fifth - Goulane Jessie
The Stewards reminded the trainer of his responsibility to be more careful in future.
P.T. Enright, rider of Ballinabearna (GB) trained by Robert Tyner, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished distressed.
(TW & EM)
