PUNTERS who lost money on 4/1 shot Don’t Tell Jack at Punchestown on Thursday will be aggrieved to learn that they are not entitled to a refund even though the Enda Bolger-trained horse did not run on the day.

Due to a mix-up in the stableyard another Bolger-trained horse, Centreofattention, ran in place of Don’t Tell Jack in the Matchbook B2B And Operator Hedging Rated Novice Chase, finishing seventh of the nine runners.

The error was not spotted by officials or connections until later in the day and, as the ‘weighed in’ signal had already been given, it was not possible to change the result on the day for betting purposes.

When Don’t Tell Jack was incorrectly presented in the parade ring as Centreofattention for a later race on the card, the mistake was discovered.

A statement by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board read: “Prior to the running of the fifth race at Punchestown, the Raceday Stewards withdrew Centreofattention, trained by E Bolger, as the horse presented to the IHRB for scanning after saddling as Centreofattention was in fact Don’t Tell Jack, also trained by E Bolger.

“It subsequently became apparent that the horse Centreofattention had participated in the second race and not the declared horse Don’t Tell Jack, finishing unplaced.

“The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr Frank Berry (McManus’ racing manager), the Authorised Representative for E. Bolger, M.P. Walsh, rider, Joan Taylor, IHRB Veterinary Officer and James Casey, IHRB Veterinary Assistant.

“Since the winner alright had been signalled following the second race, the Raceday Stewards were unable to take any further action in relation to that race, and referred the entire matter on to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.”

Light leads the way

The race was subsequently won by Luminous Light who has given trouble at the start in the past and connections again had a few anxious moments before jumping off.

Trained by Anthony McCann for the Good Counsellors Syndicate, the 9/1 shot quickened up best in a slowly-run affair for Sean Flanagan to beat Glenashling by a length and a half.

“I have to thank the starter Paul Moloney and a number of lads at the start, who gave him every chance and helped out. He’s frustrating because he’s not an ungenuine horse and you could see he battled all the way to the line,” said Flanagan.

Henry de Bromhead saddled his 57th winner of the season when Yeshil made all in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle and, while his jumping was far from fluent, J.J. Slevin’s mount kept on well on the run-in to beat Vitorio Piel by a length and a half.

“He was just a bit babyish last year and has really developed now. The bit of time has really stood to him and the step up in trip as well. J.J. said he’s not a natural front-runner and his jumping should improve,” said the Knockeen trainer of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned 4/6 winner.

A Great Buzz leads McManus treble

DESPITE the case of mistaken identity, the champion owner J.P. McManus did enjoy a treble initiated by A Great Buzz (100/30) in the opening Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase.

The Galileo mare continued a good recent run for trainer Robert Tyner showing great reserves of stamina under Mark Walsh to reel in the front-running James The Brave close home for a half-length success.

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “The ground is made for her, but she is as slow as a boat. She jumped the first few fences okay and then she got a bit sluggish. It was great to get a win out of her.”

Powerful was another for McManus in the Thank You David Betts Photography Handicap Hurdle, with the 10/11 favourite just getting the better of a driving finish with Zuzukel by a short head.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington was represented by her daughter Kate, who said: “He’s a lovely horse and is a work in progress. We’ll go baby steps with him, and he’d probably prefer the ground a bit better.”

Too easy

The McManus treble was completed by It’s Never Simple in the concluding Matchbook Best Odds On Horse Racing Handicap Hurdle.

The Martin Brassil-trained gelding, who won over fences at Roscommon on his penultimate start but went off here at 16/1 having disappointed last time at Wexford, could not have been more impressive and cruised clear on the run-in under Ricky Doyle to beat My Good Pal by seven lengths.

“It’s grand to get another race out of him. He was disappointing the last day, but I’d say he just likes this ground, and he’ll tip away at both codes for a while and see how we get on,” said Frank Berry.

Billy Coonan picked up a six-day whip ban for excessive frequency on My Good Pal, while fellow amateur Kevin Healy was given a four-day whip ban on Blue Reed (finished 14th).

THE latest race in the new academy hurdle series produced an impressive winner in the shape of Highland Crystal, who was part of a double on the day for both trainer Gordon Elliott and rider Jordan Gainford.

The Robcour-owned Crystal Ocean filly out of a half-sister to Envoi Allen took control off the home turn in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Academy Hurdle and stretched right away on the run-in to beat Ritz Plan by 14 lengths.

Elliott was represented by Lisa O’Neill, who said of the 100/30 winner: “She had done plenty at home and we knew she was forward and jumped well, but it’s a nice surprise to see how well she has done it. Jordan thinks there is plenty more left in her.”

The Elliott double was completed in the Matchbook Supporting Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle, where Koktail Brut made all to justify 10/11 favouritism.

The Gigginstown-owned gelding asserted from before the last under Danny Gilligan to beat chief market rival Colcannon by a comfortable nine lengths and O’Neill commented: “He was a lovely horse last year and I think he’s matured since the summer break.

“Danny said he had a bit of a blow from the back of the last, so he should improve plenty. He should be capable of stepping into graded company.”

Shock win

This meeting only went ahead following an early morning inspection and the heavy ground suited Sopelana, who recorded a 40/1 shock under Gainford in the Matchbook Betting Podcast 3-Y-O Hurdle.

The daughter of Expert Eye, owned by the Tallys Bar Syndicate including Hector Ó hEochagáin, who was on hand to savour the victory, got a nice run up the inner approaching the final flight and kept on best on the run-in to beat I’ll Be Handy by a length.

Winning trainer Cian Collins said: “She disappointed in Down Royal the last day. The strong gallop probably didn’t suit her, but she got a chance early on today and Jordan gave her a great ride.

“She was very lowly rated on the flat and I didn’t expect her to win two three-year-old hurdles when I got her. We may go for a blacktype race in England with her now on soft ground.”