Street on the way to the Birdcatcher

Gary Halpin, in the headlines for the wrong reasons when picking up a 21-day insufficient effort riding ban on John Feane's Gaoth Tire at Navan on Wednesday, showed his talent when winning on the same yard's Cleveland Street in the opener at Dundalk.

This Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Race was supposed to be all about 1/2 shot Blackbriar and for much of the five furlong event things appeared to be going to plan for the strongly-backed (4/5 into 1/2 on track) 'jolly.'

However Tommy Stack's Kyllachy filly couldn't cope with Cleveland Street (14/1) down the inner in the final furlong and the Windsor Knot gelding, a three times previously raced maiden, who was slowly into his stride here, went on to triumph by a length.

"He's been a bit of a comedy of errors this fella," acknowledged Feane.

He then explained: "He disgraced me and himself on his first two runs. We gelded him after that and I ran him in this as the last time he had too much time to think.

"He was on his head all the way today and this was the first day he put it together.

"Gary gave him a great ride and the plan now is to go for the Birdcatcher.

"It's over six but they'll go fast there all the way. "It's hard to know what mark he's going to get now."

The Stewards interviewed Adrian O'Shea, rider of Mc Diamond placed third, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion Adrian O'Shea was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he used his whip with excessive frequency, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays.

(AM & EM)