Brides Hill clearly on the upgrade Brides Hill marked herself out as a progressive mare when readily delivering in the Tipperary Handicap Hurdle. The Dylan Thomas mare made all over this two-mile trip and a good jump at the penultimate obstacle saw her increase her lead, particularly as the chasing Hallowed Star made a mistake. She asserted before the last under Luke Dempsey to have the pursuers toiling and popped it well to stride in by seven lengths. Hallowed Star took minor honours at 9/2 and was a length and three parts in front of third-placed Nodoubtaboutthat (4/1 favourite). This supplemented a maiden hurdle victory at Tramore in August. Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “She was third reserve in the Lartigue (at Listowel) and I was gutted she didn’t get in. Looking at the way she did that today she might have been a player in it. “She’s only a four-year-old and whether she’s able for real winter ground I’m not sure, but she’ll certainly handle a bit more ease than there is there today. It was too quick for her the last day.” The Stewards interviewed Ray Hackett, trainer of Ghost Serge, concerning the conduct of this horse who refused to race when a fair start had been effected. Ray Hackett expressed his disappointment as he had put a lot of work into trying to get his charge to start his races as he had a record of refusals in the past and latterly had been slow into stride. Having considered Ghost Serge's past record at starts and the fact that the trainer had received a warning at Kilbeggan on the 14th May when his charge refused to start on that date, the Stewards suspended Ghost Serge for 30 days in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14(iii). Furthermore, the Stewards also interviewed Ray Hackett, trainer, concerning a report from the IHRB Veterinary Officer Andrew Tyrrell that Ghost Serge was found to have been left unattended when the animal was required for a veterinary examination post race. Ray Hackett apologised for this happening but informed the Stewards that he had a runner in the following race and the groom was required to lead up this animal in the pre race preliminaries. He accepted that he had left Ghost Serge unattended for a period of time post race. Having considered the evidence the Stewards warned Ray Hackett concerning his primary responsibility under Regulation 9 to ensure that his horses are not left unattended while in the Racecourse stable yard area. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
