Whelan doubles-up on Ameerat Jumaira

Earlier successful on Beechwood Ronan Whelan doubled-up aboard outsider Ameerat Jumaira in the concluding William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap.

A E110,000 purchase at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2021, the Australia chestnut was seventh and sixth on her two starts as a juvenile at Dundalk late last year.

Again down the field on her return to action at the Curragh in May, she was sent off a 25/1 chance this evening, making her debut in handicap company and fitted with blinkers for the first time.

Soon towards rear and pushed along on the approach to the straight, she was ridden and made ground on the wide outside with over two furlongs to race.

Running around under pressure in the straight, she went third from the furlong pole and gradually ran down the front pair, hitting the front inside the final 100 yards before going on to prevail by a length-and-a-quarter.

Having earlier hit the crossbar with Fools Glory Paul McEnery again had to settle for second with Bright N Shine with this one returned at 25/1.

Well-supported from overnight prices, Macinamillion (11/2) was a short head away in third, while Snowhaven (10/3f) could only manage a disappointing twelfth.

Mick Halford and Tracey Collins train the winner in partnership, with the former later stating: "We always thought a bit of her, she's a big tall leggy filly and she just found her handicap rating.

"I said around here she'd need to focus so we just put the blinkers on her. It was only to help her focus, I don't think she's ungenuine or anything.

"It's very seldom I'd put them on but she was all over the place and ran very green. She's a big filly, a filly with a lovely pedigree.

"She's the first horse we've had for this owner (Isa Bin Haider) and I want to thank him for his patience. She looks like a filly that will go on and improve, she's a good-looking filly and will make an even better four-year-old.

"She was always going to want a trip but she's a filly with a great mind.

"Ronan gave her a great ride because she was all over the place. He gave away a bit of ground but he kept her flowing. Things can change quickly in the last 100 yards here, it's a long way up the straight."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Snowhaven, trained by Mrs John Harrington, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal and added that she received a report that the animal was found to have mucus in its lungs on endoscopic examination.

The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident on the bottom bend involving Notturno ridden by C.T. Keane, and Upepo ridden by R.C. Colgan, where it appeared both horses made contact with Upepo becoming unbalanced. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

R.P. Whelan, rider of Ameerat Jumaira (GB), trained by M. Halford & T. Collins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left up the straight.

S. Foley, rider of Snowhaven, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount did not pick up in the straight.

J.M. Sheridan, rider of Elsa's Pride trained by J.A.Stack, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was very slowly away from the starting stalls.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson