More News
When the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) stewards deemed Benvenuto Cellini a non-runner after competing in Saturday's Epsom Derby, my initial reaction was that it was an announcement error.
Why would the stewards decide that a horse which had made its own bad luck by lifting its hind leg onto the running board in the starting stall be deemed a non-runner after the race was run?
My Racing StorySponsored By Tote
I'm from Maghery in Co Armagh and I don't come from an equine background. It was a friend that did show jumping, to a pony level, and I tagged along with him. Then his mum got me into riding lessons in the local area, and it took off from there then. The first time I sat on a racehorse was in Stephen McConville's yard. He was only 10 minutes down the road from me. I was 15 and I rode out at the weekends and whenever I was off school in the summer.
Pundits Split On Derby Controversy
Emma Nagle, Johnny Ward and Paddy Flood discuss all the fallout from the Derby
By John O'Riordan - Local trainer Richard O'Brien can land this with lightly raced three-year-old CONCAIRE. A promising sixth on his handicap debut at Roscommon last month, the gelding now drops in class against more exposed older horses. Despite the obvious concerns of a wide draw, the son of Ghaiyyath holds leading claims in an ordinary contest. Run Forrest Run, who ran a nice race on his stable debut at Listowel recently, shouldn't be far away. Trainer Laura Hourigan does really well with her small string and, would enjoy a winner at her local track. Fairyhouse fifth Unfamiliar looks best of the remainder.
