Drama on wet day at Ballinrobe

The two miles handicap provided the main drama on a very wet day at the western track, with a horse running loose before the start and a rider mistaking the finish. The off time was delayed by eight minutes when Hammering got loose after rearing up and unseating Richie Kiely, and he ran too freely when the race eventually got underway weakening to finish 12th behind Amandas Princess.

Wayne Lordan mistook the finish when riding out Sophiyah (8th) with a circuit still to go, and was suspended for 3 days (June 18-20) and ordered to forfeit his riding fee. Dual champion apprentice Tadhg O'Shea is making a big impact among the senior ranks this year, and recorded his 16th success aboard Lady Portia in the 2yo auction maiden.

John Quinn's charge showed a turn around in form of over 12L compared to a previous course meeting with Mrs St George, but the Curragh trainer explained the improvement afterwards. 'Our filly was nearly knocked over the last day and we lost our money. We had nothing left to back her today,' although the College Chapel filly was nibbled at in the market from 8/1 to 7/1.

The placings remained unaltered after a stewards enquiry into an incident turning out of the back straight involving the first three home, although O'Shea was advised to take more care in future. Pat Smullen improved his tally to 21, five behind leader Murtagh, when giving Tara's Gift a powerful drive to collar Queen For A Day close home in the 9f handicap.

The Michael Cunningham-trained mare was recording her third handicap win this season, and Smullen commented, 'The ground is heavy but she got through it well, and really struck her head out.' The Barry Geraghty-ridden Goss headed Murrayfield on the run-in to score by 2L in the beginners chase, with the flattering Golden Row a head back in third.

'He was a bit keen early but settled in after that, and will probably go handicapping now,' said trainer Michael O'Brien's assistant Denis Cullen. Green Belt Flyer was well supported (5/2 to 7/4) in the maiden hurdle, and justified the confidence when smoothly leading two out under Robert Power for a comfortable 9L victory over Amanpuri. 'He's a nice horse, a winter type, and I'll give him a break until about September before going novice hurdling,' said trainer Jessica Harrington.

Mallow permit holder Arthur O'Grady saddled his second winner when Muscadier battled gamely in the mud for Davy Russell to touch off Heavenly Comet by a neck in the handicap hurdle. 'He won a point-to-point last year, and that handled that ground well. We'll try to win another handicap with him,' said O'Grady who has three in training at present.

James Nash gave Miss Congeniality a patient ride in the bumper when sweeping past Nairobi in the final furlong. Persistent rain made conditions testing, and there will be an inspection of the course at 7.45 tomorrow morning to determine whether Tuesday's meeting can go ahead.

Filed by Brendan Cole