Inverleigh beats well-fancied stablemate on debut

Ger Lyons saddled a 1, 2 in the opener at Leopardstown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, with outsider Inverleigh leading home the 5/4 favourite Burmese Waltz

Sent off at 20/1, the winner came with a sweeping run on the outer from over a furlong out, but veered into the path of Woody Creek who was badly hampered.

The son of Excelebration went on to score impressively by a length and a quarter under Gary Carroll, with Woody Creek eventually dead-heating for fourth after being eased. Could Be King who was well-supported throughout the day (14s in early shows, returned 9/2), was another five and a half lengths back in third.

Lyons said: "It's not nice beating yourself but that's life. It worked out the way we thought as we said the only one that could beat her (Burmese Waltz) was him.

"He's as green as grass and very light so you might see him again or you might not. The last furlong was his best so it will be lovely going seven with him but he's a work in progress.

"I brought him here to try and get him eating properly and to thrive. I said to Colin yesterday are you sure you don’t want to get off her but it's hard to get off a horse with form as first time out they can do anything.

"It's my first winner for the owners (the Kavanaghs)."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards fined Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Jewel Love, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of horse name in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (iv).

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Inverleigh, ridden by G.F. Carroll, placed first, Mofakker ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed fourth and Woody Creek (GB), ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed fourth, where it appeared Woody Creek met with interference causing her to clip a heel and stumble. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that any interference was accidental in nature, therefore made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Woody Creek (GB) trained by J.A.Stack, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount met with interference.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee