Hayes hit with 14 day suspension as Island Master scores for Burke

There was a dramatic conclusion to the Killarney Avenue Hotel Handicap Chase at Killarney today as Brian Hayes, on third-placed but subsequently disqualified Rock Road was found to have ridden dangerously behind unaffected winner Island Master

Five horses were in contention approaching the second last fence as Mister Butler was about to make his challenge approaching the obstacle.

Rock Road, under Brian Hayes, then edged across Mister Butler's path causing that horse to run around approaching the second last. At the fence Mister Butler's jockey Paul Cawley was dramatically unseated and thrown against the fence leaving Rock Road to fight out the finish before eventually passing the post third.

Island Master, on the other hand, enjoyed a better passage through the race and while short of room briefly at the third last, rallied well on the run-in before scoring a neck win over Invincible Don

A lengthy Stewards' Enquiry followed with Rock Road subsequently being disqualified as rider Hayes was found to have have ridden dangerously. Jockey Hayes was hit with a 14 day suspension and was also ordered to forfeit his riding fee.

Following the race winning trainer Liam Burke said “he (winning jockey Darragh O'Keeffe) gave him a super ride even though he was done three out but it was just a rough race.

“He is better with a good break between his runs and I've made the mistake of running him back quick a few times and it took me a long time to figure it out.

“We'll try and squeeze another one out of him and he cant get too much for winning that.”