Change of luck for Wild Fern connections Seamus Fahey and Shane Butler lost a decent servant, Gold Tantrum, recently at Kilbeggan, but another mare, Wild Fern provided a lift for the duo when going in at odds of 16/1 in the Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe. 'Money horses' here were the favourite, Lonan, and Manibus, but they could manage no better than ninth and last places respectively. Up front Wild Fern, by the late Beneficial, like the first winner on the card, Mr Boss Man, saw off the second, third, and fourth home, Broughtons Bandit, Chakisto and Sue And Isi, by a length and a quarter, a length and a half, and half a length. "She won well and obviously the better ground suited her. Her full-brother (Storm Of Swords) has won four times in England since Christmas," reported Fahey. "Unfortunately the Ennis' lost a Milan foal of seven weeks old only the other day so that is a nice change of luck for them. "She might step up in trip. Shane said she wouldn't stop galloping but he hadn't as much in the tank as it looked like. I'm delighted for the Ennis' (owner James and breeder Michael) as she hasn't been easy to train and she has had a few problems. She will go for something similar now. "Michael Ennis played football for Westmeath. He was on the team that won the Leinster Championship in 2004." The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Manibus, trained by A.J. McNamara, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be distressed post race. Augustine Leahy, trainer of Spare A Thought, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge burst blood vessels. (DM & EM)
