ON a card that contained some interesting contests, the day’s focus rested on the opening maiden hurdle after which trainer Emmet Mullins was hit with a record €6,000 fine and jockey Brian Hayes was banned for 21 days after the stewards looked into the effort of the fourth-placed The Shunter who was subsequently suspended from racing for 60 days.

After initially dropping in at the rear of the field, The Shunter caught the eye with a strong-finishing effort to be beaten by just over six lengths in fourth which prompted a running and riding enquiry after which the trainer, jockey and the horse fell foul of Rules 212 and 212 A (ii).

In his evidence the rider reported that he was instructed to drop his mount out last and to get him relax and breathe.

The rider added his mount began to make a respiratory noise in the back straight and he gave him a chance at this point even though he wanted to be closer to the pace.

He reported that he held on to his mount on the turn into the home straight and let him down gradually to finish well.

He further explained that he was familiar with this horse before Emmet Mullins had acquired him and his wind had always been an issue which has progressively got worse.

In his evidence Mullins, who was fined €5,000 last week for breaching Covid-19 regulations, explained that this run was an expedition to get his charge to learn, to get him to settle and get him to race.

He described the horse’s past poor form and having had the horse’s wind checked. He now believes that a wind operation is required but thought that his charge would benefit for faster ground conditions which would make him more manageable. He confirmed that he was satisfied with the ride.

Major gamble

Mullins, Hayes and owner Paul Byrne then pulled off a major gamble in the second division of the MansionBet-sponsored three mile 80-95 rated handicap hurdle where Pilbara left his previous form well behind.

The five-year-old was as big as 7/1 in the morning but was returned at 8/11 on his return from over 10 months off. The son of Tiger Groom was tailed off in a Sligo maiden last July on his most recent start over hurdles but left his previous form behind as he ran out an easy seven-length winner.

Meanwhile, The Shunter’s race was won by Bold Enough who represented Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. This placed pointer was fourth to Asterion Forlonge in a Naas maiden in January and had been kept under wraps since then.

The 6/4 favourite didn’t appear to be going as well as Hesamanofhisword turning for home. However, he had any amount left in reserve and finished out this two-and-a-half-mile affair in determined fashion to score by four lengths. The winner is owned by Dungarvan-based Mustafa Elatrash.

THE talented Barrington Court showed just what she can do as she accounted for some decent geldings in the MansionBet-sponsored conditions hurdle over two and a half miles.

Formerly a listed bumper winner, this J.P. McManus-owned mare has struggled somewhat to produce her best since going hurdling, but she turned out in great shape on her return from four months off. Mark Walsh sent the 100/30 chance to the front turning for home and she showed a good attitude in the straight to account for the Fred Winter fourth Recent Revelations.

“When she’s right she is good and she had a little problem after her last run (pulled at Leopardstown) which we’ve ironed out,” reported the trainer’s daughter Kate.

Polished Steel made it a double for the trainer in the MansionBet Proud To Support Irish Racing Beginners Chase over just short of two and a half miles. On his debut over fences, this useful hurdler made all the running for Robbie Power, jumped well and accounted for the 141-rated I’m A Game Changer by seven and a half lengths, with the Grade 2-winning hurdler Dommage Pour Toi taking third in a race where the front three dominated throughout. The victorious 11/1 chance is owned by J.P. O’Flaherty.

Gordon Elliott had to wait nine days for his first winner since jump racing’s resumption but it arrived in the shape of a nice type in the evens favourite Mr Jackman who justified good support to make a winning debut in the bumper.

Jamie Codd was on board the NHJ Racing Syndicate-owned son of Flemensfirth who stamped his authority on this race in the straight to score by just under three lengths. He could now head for a winners’ bumper at Galway.

Fine form

Another yard that has been in great shape since racing’s return is that of Gavin Cromwell and he notched up another victory when Bread And Butter took the 80-102 rated MansionBet’s Beaten By A Head Handicap Hurdle.

Conor McNamara was board the 7/2 favourite, who is owned by the Show Ponies Syndicate, and crossed the line five and a half lengths ahead of Rebel Waltz for a first win in eight starts for the Westerner gelding.

The Ronan McNally-owned and trained The Trigger (11/2), who was placed at the last Irish meeting prior to racing’s cessation, recorded his first victory in over two years in the 80-102 rated handicap chase over just short of three miles. Sean Flanagan was on board the 11-year-old and the pair just about withstood the late charge of Ballymac Boy.

Thornton Lords it

A VICTORY here last Friday meant that Lord Lariat (11/8) had to shoulder the welter burden of 12st 3lb as he went for a quick follow-up in the first division of the MansionBet-sponsored 80-95 rated three-mile handicap hurdle.

However, this was no barrier to success for the Pat Blake-owned gelding who was produced with a perfectly timed effort by Donagh Meyler to take control of this race on the run-in. This victory continued a tremendous run for Karl Thornton who was making it six winners from 11 runners over the course of the last three weeks.

“We knew the trip would suit. He just laboured on the ground a little but we are thrilled and Karl’s horses are flying which makes my job a lot easier. Hopefully he can come forward again,” reported the rider.