Unhappy birthday for Enright as he is hit with 14-day ban

THE stewards at Cork yesterday were called into action after Gerry Cully's I Will Now finished fifth behind Dantys Hampshire in the concluding maiden hurdle, writes Pat Keane.

They found that the mare had not run on her merits and she was suspended for 42 days. Rider, Philip Enright, was found not to have made sufficient effort to achieve the best possible placing and he was suspended for 14 days.

Enright, who was 18 years-of-age yesterday, joined Cully last Monday and only turned professional on Friday.

Cully's evidence was noted after he had told the stewards, on viewing the race on video, that he was totally dissatisfied with Enright's performance.

Speaking afterwards, Cully said: “I wasn't at all happy with the ride. I don't think it is fair to punish the owner. The young lad was guilty, he was just weak.”