Absolutelyfabulous for the punters, but not for the starter

THE Cork Stakes at Cork last night was over before it should have started.

The six runners were due to leave the stalls at 5.50, or shortly after, but starter, Joe Banahan, left them away a full four minutes prior to the official off-time.

Coming hot on the heels of the Your Sum Man debacle at Punchestown on Saturday, you could hardly describe it as the ideal public relations exercise.