Professionals raise concerns over safety of covering on exit road
The well-backed Best Away slipped up at that point of the course in the first race, the Kerry Maid Maiden Hurdle.
After the second contest, the stewards received a delegation of four jockeys, Ruby Walsh, Paul Carberry, Barry Geraghty and Keith Hadnett, as well as trainer, Edward O’Grady.
The problem, as far as the jockeys were concerned, was that the road was covered with wood-chippings, rather than fibresand.
On emerging from the stewards’ room an irate Walsh said: “Safety is paramount. It is a year since two of our lads were killed and I can see no improvements.
“We’ve just been told by one of the stewards in there that it costs €4,500 a load to put down fibresand and it is too dear. HRI should pay for it.”
Said O’Grady: “I happened to be at the road when Best Way slipped, I would regard it as unsafe. All such roads on Irish racecourses should be standardised.”
Commented clerk of the course, Peter McGouran: “We had problems with the road here in the past and it was lowered at a cost of €35,000.
“The road has been covered by wood-chippings for the last three years and we have not had a problem. I brought the matter up at a safety review recently and HRI has been contacted to cover all roads with fibresand in the future.”
In any case the stewards gave an assurance that road crossings on racecourses in general were being reviewed and remedial action would be taken as necessary.
Ironically, it was Ruby Walsh who won the race on Cratloe Castle, who stayed on strongly through the dead ground.
This three miles took a lot of getting and it was Michael Hourigan’s charge who was best equipped to do the business. Walsh drove him ahead going to the third last and the six-year-old showed no signs of flinching up the straight.
Said Hourigan: “He’s promised to win for a while and will go back over fences now.”
Davy Russell, having only his second ride for Tony Mullins, rode his first winner for that handler when piloting Tuppeny Cody to a smooth success in the Kerry Spring Water Hurdle.
Market leader, Sue ‘N Win, tried to make all, but Tuppeny Cody cruised past before two out to score by ten lengths.
“We have changed his training programme and it seems to have made a difference”, reported Mullins. “He will probably go for a handicap now.”
Mullins landed a double when promising newcomer, William Bonney, owned and ridden by Barry Connell, proved far too good for the opposition in the Bumper.
Connell allowed the son of Oscar stride on before the straight and William Bonney was carrying all the aces through the final two furlongs.
“He’s been showing it to us at home”, said Mullins. “He might head for the Cheltenham November meeting, Barry would love to go there.”
Those who backed favourite, Arachine, in the Dawn Pure Orange Juice Novice Handicap Hurdle were left counting their blessings.
He won alright, but broke down on the run in and was subsequently put down. Barry Geraghty eased him into the lead approaching the third last and Arachine held on to beat eye-catching Barrow Bridge, a stable companion of the winner.
Also killed was Ross Moff in the Dawn Milk Handicap Chase. He was travelling sweetly at the back of the field when falling six out and broke a leg.
Victory went to the Edward O’Grady trained Windsor Boy, who completed a double for Geraghty. Windsor Boy led three out and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to hold Dangerousdanmagru.
“He’s improving and has done well over fences so far”, remarked O’Grady.
Pat Doyle’s Rosefaster looked a desperately unlucky loser of the Low Low EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.
She had just hit the front, appearing to be full of running, when crumbling on landing over the second last.
Left at the head of affairs was Threequarter Moon, who made the rest to easily beat Lala Nova.
Arthur Daly, powered to the front over the third last by John Cullen, had little trouble beating Johnjoes Boy six lengths in the Dawn Omega Milk Handicap Hurdle.
