Philip Byrnes banned for 21 days and winner for father Charles disqualified

After a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, Marian Avenue was placed last, with the race being awarded to the Shark Hanlon-trained Qaasid

Marian Avenue is first past the post in the Irish Wire Products Ltd Handicap Hurdle but was later disqualified with the race being awarded to Qaasid, right.  Picture: Healy Racing

On the first anniversary of the infamous Redwood Queen incident in Wexford, Philip Byrnes found himself in hot water with the Limerick stewards, receiving a 21-day ban following an incident at the second last flight in a division of the Irish Wire Products Ltd Handicap Hurdle.

Byrnes had made most of the running on gambled-on favourite Marian Avenue, trained by his father Charles, but, nearing the second last the 11-8 favourite drifted left, hampering runner-up Qaasid and causing Friar Hogan to run out.

The favourite was left in command. But Qaasid recovered and stayed on well on the run-in to get within a length and a quarter of Marian Avenue.

After a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, Marian Avenue was disqualified and placed last, with the race being awarded to the Shark Hanlon-trained Qaasid, the first leg of a spectacular 167-1 treble for Danny Mullins.

Byrnes was found guilty of dangerous riding, under Rule 214.1(b) and was suspended for 21 days.

There was a lot less drama for Mullins as he guided Billy Lanigan’s Minella Diamond, top-weight and 5-2 favourite for his handicap debut in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle, to a clear-cut victory over bottom-weight Chemdawg.

And Mullins completed his treble when, deputising for the stood-down Cian Quirke, he landed a division of the Frankie Donworth Memorial Handicap Hurdle on Harry Kelly’s Mickey Hulie.

Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe, successful twice in Ballinrobe earlier in the week, doubled-up with Lureka Du Noyer and La Cote Fleurie in the earlier maiden hurdle action.

Making his Irish debut, French import Lureka Du Noyer, a half-brother to stable-companion Zurich, was gambled into even-money favourite and duly delivered in the Daredevil Events Adrenaline Stunt Circus Maiden Hurdle, at the expense of Game Point.

“He’s straight-forward and uncomplicated and had plenty of experience in France,” explained O’Keeffe. “I was happy to take a lead from Sam (Ewing, on Game Point) and he picked-up, winged the last, and won well. Like Zurich, he’s a great jumper and it’s a lovely way for him to start for us.” A bumper winner and third on her hurdling bow in Cork, La Cote Fleurie completed the double when justifying 8-11 favouritism in the Grand National South Court Maiden Hurdle, her task eased by the last flight exit of nearest challenger Ardeen Joy.

“She’s a lovely filly, not over-big, but jumps very well,” said O’Keeffe, “She was picking up the whole time going to the last and I felt she was going to win. She’s tough and honest. And we have plenty of options open to her.” 

Earlier, in Fairyhouse, Siobhán Rutledge, who returned to Ireland in January after a year in Australia, became the third female apprentice to ride out her claim in Ireland when landing the Fiver Fridays At Fairyhouse 3-Y-0 Handicap on the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Stone Bear.

“I’m very proud – it’s a big achievement for me,” declared delighted Rutledge. “Everyone has been so good to me, particularly John (McConnell), where I started. And this feels like a big deal for me, riding 95 winners.” 

Winning trainer O’Sullivan added: “Stone Bear is a right little filly and is strengthening and improving since the spring.

“Siobhán, who gets a good tune out of him, is an absolute smasher. It would be difficult to find a harder worker or a nicer girl. And I’m delighted she’s ridden out her claim.” 

Unplaced on his debut at the Curragh, the Donnacha O’Brien-trained High King (Gavin Ryan) stepped-up significantly to land the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Race, enjoying a trouble-free run around the inside before beating market-leaders Joga Bonito and Lars Soldier in good style.

“He’s a good mover and an easy traveller and did it well when he got the gap,” said Ryan.

Colin Keane recorded his 21st domestic winner of the season when making all on the Juddmonte-owned, Ger Lyons-trained Guardian Of Realm, a six- length winner of the mile-and-a-quarter fillies maiden.