Fined Mullins lands old-fashioned Junction gamble Tipperary's stewards took action against trainer Emmet Mullins and jockey Brian Hayes in the opening race and the pair later landed a 'right touch' for followers of Pilbara, which romped to victory in the second division of the MansionBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle. Mullins was fined €6,000 for the running and riding of fourth-placed The Shunter in the opening maiden hurdle, with jockey Brian Hayes receiving a 21 days suspension and the gelding being banned from racing for 60 days. The stewards had acted under Rule 212 and Rule 212 a2 which covers horses running on their merits and using the racecourse as a training ground. News of the fine and suspensions emerged prior to the running of Pilbara's race and that five year old himself created a news story of his own when romping to a hard held seven lengths win over My Lovely Boy. Pilbara was today making his handicap debut, having been unplaced with form-figures of '90906U' in three maiden hurdles and three beginners chases. The son of Tiger Groom was today running for new owner Paul Byrne, having previously raced for Stephen B Murphy, and having matched at a ceiling price of 42 (for €12) on Betfair, was a 7/1 chance with bookmakers this morning before returning a smashed-up 8/11 favourite. Pilbara's strength in the market was underlined by him occupying €695,000 of the total €827,00 matched on Betfair, prior to the off. In the race Pilbara benefitted from a patient ride from Hayes but in reality the five year old had oodles in hand over inferior rivals and the result was never in doubt. Trainer Mullins, whose three months ban for a breach of health screening protocols at Leopardstown on June 14 starts on Monday, briskly walked away to field a phone call following the race.
