Manuka fell two out when still right on the premises in a competitive Hibernia Steel Products Handicap Hurdle. The honours in the three miler eventually went the way of Thanks For Tea in Bellewstown's penultimate.

Paul Townend rode this Shantou mare for Edmond Kent and she got the better of Immortal Bridge by a neck.

Owner/trainer/breeder Kent said: "It was a brilliant ride and she's a real tough mare. She needs nice ground.

"I can't understand how the bookies never fancy her as she was second in Downpatrick off top weight to a good mare and the ground was very soft at the bottom of the hill. 

"She was beaten seven and a half lengths in a Galway Blazers on heavy ground that she hated, and she was second to a 140-rated horse in Tipperary in her second run back.

"Every day she comes out she will put up a good performance. Paul (Townend) said they were going flat out and he sat and waited. He knew she would come for him. 

"Ground depending there is a race for her in Ballinrobe - a valuable mares' handicap hurdle that I won with Kris Kindle before. She has to be under 123 and she is 118 now. He (the handicapper) might give her a pound or two for that.

"She is very versatile and easy to train. I contemplated putting her in foal but I thought she might earn more at this."

The Stewards received a report from Mr. W. Fleming , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that C.D. Timmons , rider of Nobody Home , weighed in at 1.6 lbs overweight.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he took a little water after weighing out which may have contributed to weighing-in overweight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that C.D. Timmons was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for two race days.

C.A. Landers, rider of Aunt Alice trained by Michael J. Bowe, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount pulled up injured.

M.P. Walsh, rider of Travertine trained by Niall Madden, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled.

(MG & EM)