J P McManus jockey slammed after defeat on long odds-on Willie Mullins favourite

28 November 2023 , 16:44

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J P McManus jockey slammed after defeat on long odds-on Willie Mullins favourite

A top jockey felt the full wrath of racing’s social media fan base after getting beaten on a very short-priced favourite on Tuesday.

Cheltenham Festival-winning rider Mark Walsh was aboard the Willie Mullins-trained Jolie Coeur Allen for his boss, the billionaire owner J P McManus, in a maiden hurdle at Tramore.

Making her hurdles debut, the mare was sent off 2-9 favourite to get off the mark over jumps at the first attempt. When she took the lead at the second last flight, victory looked assured with Walsh appearing to have plenty in hand.

But Eoin Walsh, riding 7-1 chance Soldante, was not about to give up the pursuit and when he got alongside his opponent, Jolie Coeur Allen could not muster an effective reply as she went down by half a length.

The Racing Post analysis of the performance said the favourite “led on the bridle under a confident ride but she failed to respond to urgings once the winner came alongside”.

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Punters commented on X, “What is Mark Walsh doing.” Another said: “That was shocking by the jockey, he should have been aware of his surroundings and realised he was being chased down.”

“One horse flat out, one being asked for his effort too late,” said another reaction. “Shocking. Didn’t try till it was too late. “

Mark Walsh: beaten on 2-9 chance at Tramore (PA)

A stewards inquiry looked into the running and riding of the mare but the panel took no action. According to the stewards report, Walsh "stated that his filly ran very keen throughout and never settled.

'He added that the two hurdles in the straight being bypassed didn't help as these would have enabled him to get a breather and as soon as he let her down she emptied. "

Mullins's representative Brendan Kenny confirmed he was happy with the ride and the vet reported Jolie Coeur Allen was "post race normal".

"Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the explanations offered and took no further action", the report concluded.

Jon Lees