Desertmore in full flow as Gold runs out

Desertmore Stream has proved a frustrating sort to follow under rules since winning a point-to-point at Lingstown in 2012 but he put the record straight in no uncertain terms in the Go Racing In The South East ‘5 For 50’ Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

However the race was not short of drama as Cromwells Road fatally came down on the Flat before the second last with a circuit to run and brought down Lord Fingal

Both jockeys walked away from the incident but, on the next circuit, the runners had to be guided around the area where the stricken horse laid on the ground.

Andrew Leigh failed to bring the front-running Gold Platinum back in to jump the penultimate flight and, despite jumping the last and passing the post in second place, was disqualified following a stewards enquiry.

Desertmore Stream meanwhile struck the front and, with Brian O’Connell oozing confidence on the 11/8 favourite, cruised clear on the run-in for an easy victory. Ryansbrook was promoted to second place, with Bold Conquest taking third.

Leigh reportedly heard someone shouting at him to bypass the second last but he was still hit with a four-day ban by the stewards.

Winning trainer Philip Fenton said, “He seems to have improved for two reasons. He relaxed today as he’d a few runs with the choke out, and it was a weakish race.

“But the important thing was he finished off his race well. He’ll be kept on the go and may be slightly better on good ground.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes