Bay scores as runner-up catches the eye

Voisey's Bay showed the benefit of three previous outings over hurdles to take the Join The Tipperary Races Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle.

Roger Loughran had the seven-year-old up with the pace throughout, and the 4/1 chance kept on well in the straight to score by nearly five lengths.

Newcomer High Tail It really caught the eye when flying home to take the runner-up spot, with King Willie a further length and three quarters back in third.

The uneasy 8/13 favourite Unic De Bersy was driven along before the straight and could only manage fourth.

The stewards took a dim view of the performance of the runner-up, and took action under Rule 212.

The Milan gelding was suspended for 42 days, rider Mark Bolger was given a seven days ban and ordered to forfeit his riding fee, while trainer Jessica Harrington was fined 1,000 euro.

Winning trainer Tom Foley said, "I'm looking forward to going over fences with him, and hopefully he'll jump them well. He seems to handle that ground although he's a bit big for summer ground.

"He's very headstrong and I'm not sure if that's because he was late being broken in or it's just in his breeding. His mother is a half-sister to a good horse called The Subbie, and if he's half as good as that I'll be happy."