Ucanchoose and Gary Halpin get the better of Fairy Foxglove and Ross Coakley© Photo Healy Racing
Ucanchoose enhanced an excellent record at Naas by landing career victory number eight, on start number sixty six, in the Montane Developments Supporting Console Apprentice Handicap.
Gary Halpin was never far away aboard the victorious son of Choisir, and in the end the nine-year-old got the better of Fairy Foxglove by half a length.
"He got injured this time last year, and I purposely stayed away from Bellewstown this year as I think that is where it happened. He won this race before (in 2011)," commented successful handler Andy Slattery.
"He's in again on Friday at Navan and he's actually 3lb better in there as the handicapper dropped him. He's never run well at Navan before but hopefully they will get a bit of rain.
"The ground here is as quick as he'd want it. It's good to firm but it's safe. He usually runs well when he comes back quick, so he'll probably run on Friday."
The Stewards interviewed D. O'Brien, rider of Apache Gold concerning his use of the whip in this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned in the presence of John J Walsh, trainer, who accompanied the rider in the stewards room.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f), in that he used the whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day.
(AM & EM)
