Peoples Park jumps the last under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Mark Walsh and JP McManus completed a quick double at Ballinrobe as the well-backed Peoples Park landed the Audi Ballina Beginners Chase.
Just beaten by Net D'Ecosse at Fairyhouse in December, the son of Presenting (also the sire of Spider Web was seventh at Naas on his most recent effort in handicap company.
Back in novice class today he was available as big as 13/2 this morning, opening on-course at 9/2 before going off the 7/2 second favourite.
Having raced mainly in fourth he improved into second after four out, and jumped the second last in a share of the lead.
He was ridden to the front on the approach to the last and kept on well on the run-in to score by six lengths.
Denis O'Regan appeared to ease Pistol Park on the run-in when his chance of winning was gone. However he was nabbed for second by Bringerofthedawn with just a nose separating them at the line.
Bringerofthedawn was returned a 6/1 chance under Robbie Colgan for David Broad, while the front-running Pistol Park was the 15/8 favourite.
Winning trainer Tom Taaffe said afterwards: "His experience counted and he jumped and galloped away well.
"He was entitled to do that on his rating and he got a lovely ride from Mark.
"He could keep going or he could go on his holidays. Either way, he won't be running on quick ground anyway."
STEWARDS REPORT
K.C. Sexton, rider of Xsquared trained by Peter Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly in running.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Pistol Park (FR), trained by Alan Fleming, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a small wound on his nearside hock but was otherwise post race normal.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Vercingetorix trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
D.N. Russell, rider of Vercingetorix trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having made mistakes at some of the fences.
The Stewards enquired into the riding of Pistol Park (FR), ridden by D.F. O'Regan, and trained by Alan Fleming whereby he was beaten a nose for second place by Bringerofthedawn (Ire). Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. D.F. O'Regan, stated that his mount had been jumping to the left and was not handling the ground but on jumping the last fence he felt that he continued to nudge his mount all the way to the line. He admitted that he was unaware of any challenger but felt that he was beaten fairly and could not have held second place under any circumstance. The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Pistol Park (Fr) had a small wound on his left hind hock but was otherwise post race normal. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that D.F. O'Regan was in breach of Rule 212 by failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse was given a full opportunity of obtaining his best possible place and therefore suspended him for 5 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
