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- Walsh & McManus double-up with Arm
Donal Murphy
Walsh & McManus double-up with Arm
White Arm (nearest) and Flynsini jump the last together
© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the third with Aa Bee See Mark Walsh and JP McManus doubled-up with White Arm in the K Club Handicap Chase.
The Tony Martin trained eight-year-old was successful at Fairyhouse in April, before rounded off last season with a second place finish in a valuable contest at the Punchestown Festival.
He unseated on his return to action over the course last month, and was sent off a 4/1 chance today.
Settled in mid-division, the French bred son of Turgeon closed right up on the leaders from four out. He travelled best from the next, but needed to be ridden out on the run-in to get the better of Flynsini by a head.
The runner-up was returned the 5/2 favourite (from 5s last night) under JJ Slevin for Pat Cloke, while Bilko (6/1) was twenty-seven lengths back in third for Liam McKenna and Gordon Elliott.
Tony Martin said afterwards: "He's been knocking on the door all through the year. He jumps and he gallops, the ground suited and all went well.
"He was running a lovely race when he missed the fourth last badly here the last day, and he's come on from that run."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed J.J. Slevin, rider of Flynsini, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found J.J. Slevin to be in breach of Regulations 10.3 (f) and 10.4 in that he used his whip with excessive frequency and force, and without giving his mount time to respond. Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards suspended J.J. Slevin for five racedays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee