Jockeys take action after canteen runs out of sandwiches
Explained Russell: “When I went for a sandwich there was nothing to be had. I lodged an official complaint to the stewards and was backed by the other jockeys.
“We regarded the canteen facilities as inadequate and decided not to ride until we got an assurance it would be put right. In fairness to the manager (Michael O’Neill), he guaranteed us they would be adequate for the next meeting.”
O’Neill said: “It was just unfortunate that we ran out of stock and will be ensuring that it doesn’t happen again.”
Rather strangely, no indication the incident took place was communicated to the press by the stewards.
There were wholesale withdrawals from the card, centring mainly on the fast surface. In the end it finally stopped at 52 and that has to constitute some sort of record for one day’s racing.
January, carrying the Finsceal Beo and Al Eile colours of Michael Ryan and trained by Ted Walsh, took the Fermoy Maiden Hurdle.
Backed from 3-1 to 9-4, the former Saeed Bin Suroor inmate did his job in style, after coming from mid-division.
Davy Russell made his move over three out on Romarca, but the grey son of Daylami quickened up well to take that one’s measure before the last to beat the running-on Define.
Trainer-Walsh, speaking from a point-to-point in Summerhill, Co Meath, said: “This horse likes fast ground and, as long he’s okay, will race away through the summer.”
Ruby Walsh was in the plate and he now leads Russell by 126-121 in the championship.
Willie Mullins’ Red Vinto, contesting his first handicap, streaked away with the Newmarket Hurdle.
Produced to lead over the second last by Davy Condon, the six-year-old surged clear to easily beat Alis Choice.
Said Mullins: “He needed the trip (three miles) and the ground. He will now stay handicapping and, the way he jumped there, could go over fences before the end of the summer.”
Mullins, relentlessly pursuing the trainers’ championship - he currently leads Noel Meade - completed a double with the impressive Themoonandsixpence in the Bumper.
Partnered by his son, Patrick, the champion amateur-elect, Themoonandsixpence made all the running, kicking right away in the straight.
Said Mullins senior: “He was crying out for that ground, he’s different class on it. I will try and win another bumper and then he will go novice hurdling through the summer. This is a chaser in the making.”
Meade hit back when Model Athlete just got the best of a tight struggle with Sporting Medic in the Kanturk Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Carberry was to have ridden Model Athlete, but was stood down after being unseated off Patsy Hall in the Scottish National at Ayr on Saturday. Niall Madden took over and it was a fourth winner of the weekend at Cork for himself and Meade.
Robert Power was seen to advantage when driving Eric McNamara’s Prince Picasso to victory in the O’Flynn Construction Handicap Hurdle.
He produced him with a sweeping late challenge to stride ahead after the final flight to beat Penny’s Bill a comfortable length and three parts.
Commented McNamara: “We fancied him well. We have been waiting on good ground for a long time, he has to have it like that. Robert gave him a great ride and he will keep going through the summer.”
Castletownroche handler, Marie Harding, went to a point-to-point in Co Limerick and missed seeing her Moscow Breeze take the O’Flynn Construction Beginners Chase.
It was a decidedly moderate contest, but provided a thrilling finish between the winner and Ballyhampshire Man.
It appeared to be going in favour of Ballyhampsire Man after the final fence, but Kevin Coleman snatched it out of the fire close home to score by a head. Moscow Breeze’s only previous success was in a maiden point at Dromahane.
Well-backed Third Level Tom was a desperately unlucky loser of the O’Flynn Construction Novice Handicap Chase.
Taken to the front two out by Niall Madden, he blundered badly at the final fence, leaving Mister Buttons and David Casey to rally past on the run in.
