Punters left cursing luck after Turks crashes out

PUNTERS were left cursing their luck at Limerick last night after Turks Wood had fallen at the final flight in an incident-packed Holmes O'Malley Sexton Novice Hurdle.

Tony Mullins' gelding was a big gamble in the ring, hardening through all the rates from 11-10 to 8-11.

In front from the second, he held the call rising to the last, a length or more to the good over the hard-ridden Drive On.

But Turks Wood crumbled on landing, leaving Drive On to go on and score for the Charles Byrnes yard.

In the meantime Aviatore fell independently at the obstacle and Holly Tree was hampered and unseated his rider.

Davy Russell rode the winner and reported: “I wasn't beaten!”

Commented Byrnes: “He will tip away and might be better suited by two and a half miles.

“He will jump a fence next summer.”

Michael Darcy, who rode Holly Tree, was suspended for a day for jumping a hurdle before the race and for a further day for passing an unacceptable comment on leaving the stewards' room.

Punters had their fingers burnt as well in the ladbrokes.ie EBF Fillies Auction Maiden when Con Collins' Silica Shine could only manage third behind the Kieren Fallon partnered Courtwood and promising newcomer Sweet Peak.

Silica Shine was a big order morning prices, from 5-4, and from 4-6 to 4-7 on track.

She arrived with every chance in the straight, but failed to pick up appreciably when asked by Pat Shanahan.

Fallon drove Courtwood ahead with well over a furlong to run and kept her going in fine style to hold the late rush of Sweet Peak.

In-form handler Ken Condon, away on business, missed the race and was represented by his assistant, Darren Bunyan. “He's (Fallon) a good kid”, quipped Bunyan.

“Our horses are in great order and this fellow will now go for a nursery.”

Fran Berry rode a terrific finish to grab the Anglo-Irish Bank Handicap on Fire Finch for the Tom Hogan yard. English-import Gurrun kicked over two furlongs down, but Berry timed his challenge to perfection to get up close home and win by a head.

“She's been knocking on the door and deserved that”, said Hogan.

“She's tough and might run at Galway.”

Robbie McNamara (17) rode his fifth winner and his second over flights when easing 14-1 shot Glengali into the lead over the last to beat Eight Fifty Six in the BB's Coffee Handicap Hurdle.

In the care of Eric McNamara (no relation), Glengali was having his first outing since November.

Commented the trainer: “We were afraid of the ground, but Robbie said he loved it and maybe he can win another one.”

The father and son combination of Peter and Oliver Casey are currently a cracking combination and they were on the mark again when Ireland's Call defied top weight in Coyle Hamilton Willis Handicap. Oliver sent his charge ahead with fully three furlongs to go and the grey answered every call to hold favourite Lady Elsie by a head.

Rider Casey, however, was suspended for a day for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Resilient punters, having the worst of the tussle, fought back when thumping Mr Newtown into 5-4 from 2's in the DNG Chesser Auctioneers' Maiden Hurdle.

He had the contest in safe keeping early in the straight, but was awkward two out and stepped into the last. Ruby Walsh, though, kept the partnership intact and Mr Newtown was nicely clear at the line.

Ian McCarthy, who partnered runner-up Bawn Og, was suspended for four days for using his whip with excessive force and frequency and ordered to attend RACE for a day.

Patrick Mullins (16), son of Willie, rode his fourth winner when keeping Polar Call going through the last two furlongs to beat Maxi. The favourite, August, broke a leg in the early stages of the contest and had to be put down.