Poseidon wins under Sam Ewing© Photo Healy Racing
Following on from Born Invincible earlier there was a second success for the stallion Born To Sea in the testing conditions at Limerick. Young Sam Ewing enjoyed his own second career win on Charles Byrnes’ well-backed even money favourite, Poseidon in the People’s Park Handicap.
Standing in France now, Born To Sea, the younger brother of Galileo and Sea The Stars, had an extended six furlong victor (Born Invincible) and a two mile one furlong scorer (Poseidon) on this card, with the latter pretty comfortable at the finish.
Byrnes and Ewing combined for a second placing half-an-hour earlier with Advanced Virgo and after Poseidon had accounted for The Jam Man by three parts of a length the local handler said: "He has a valuable 10lbs claim.
“I've been looking at him pony racing for the last two and a half years and you couldn't but be impressed. He won all before him at Dingle last year and when Ger Lyons released him to the outside trainers I said I'd use him.
"From his hurdle mark he was well in, but didn't have much to spare either, although the second (The Jam Man) is highly rated as well over hurdles.
"He is entered for the Listowel Hurdle but I have Wonder Laish for that and he has the same owner; Poseidon could run in a big staying handicap but there aren't many races for him and he won't get into the Cesarewitch."
The Stewards fined Mrs John Harrington, trainer, €65 for failing to fit cheek pieces to Donnersnstrings prior to entering the parade ring.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Diamond Kut (GB) trained by J.A. Nash was lame on his right fore post race.
G. Brouder, rider of Diamond Kut (GB) trained by J.A. Nash, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was lame when pulling up at the end of this race.
The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of The Jam Man, trained by Ronan M.P. McNally, placed second compared with its recent form.
Evidence was heard from Mark Bird IHRB Rules of Racing Handicapper.
He referenced the past form of The Jam Man with disappointing runs at Gowran Park, 17th June, Navan, 3rd July, Ballinrobe 20th July and included the most recent run at Galway 31st July under NH Rules where the animal pulled up.
He also referenced various reasons that had been furnished by the trainer and riders in relation to the past poor performances.
He stated that The Jam Man ran today in his first handicap off a rating of 69 and recalled his best run being at Tipperary over one mile four furlongs.
In his opinion The Jam Man had run previously to ratings of zero twice, forty and thirty two.
He summarised today's run as being a significant improvement on past performances having taken into consideration how versatile the animal had been in relation to distance of races, codes of racing and the various ground conditions over which he had competed.
Ronan M.P. McNally, trainer, stated that his charge had been very sick following the Cheltenham March festival where he burst badly in running.
He added that he had been a most disappointing and frustrating horse that had previously shown plenty of ability.
He advised the Stewards that The Jam Man had suffered from an aspergillus infection.
He informed the Stewards that he had secured a powder remedy in Cork about three weeks ago and was satisfied that the animal could race while being treated.
He outlined the recent training of The Jam Man and was satisfied that he had shown improvement in recent weeks and had scoped spotless in recent days.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards referred the matter to the Referrals Committee.
Furthermore the Stewards ordered that samples be taken from The Jam Man for analysis.
(TW & EM)
