Barry Geraghty took a giant step towards gaining his first riders championship at Gowran Park on Saturday when extending his lead over Conor O'Dwyer, who was hit with an eight day suspension by the stewards.
Geraghty moved onto the 66 winner mark for the season when Sackville justified favouritism in the Loughlins Pub Novice Hurdle. Frances Crowley's charge was sent on approaching the penultimate flight to beat Lawz by six lengths, and may turn out again over an extra three quarters of a mile at Navan next Saturday.
However the real drama occured afterwards when the stewards took a dim view of O'Dwyer's riding on eighth placed Hot Shots. They decided that he had not taken all possible measures to gain his best possible placing.
John Roche recorded his biggest win since taking out a training licence four years ago when Northern Sound landed the #20,000 Irish Independent Irish Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
The Montelimar mare was patiently ridden by Garrett Cotter - now on the 17 winner mark for the season - leading over the last to beat Florida Light by a length, with the front-running Super Dealer a further two lengths adrift in third. 'She was a bit unlucky at Tramore last time, and will go now for the Irish National,' said the Tramore-based Roche.
Jessica Harrington outlined plans for the remainder of this season for stablestar Space Trucker after her Bobabout stayed on gamely from the last under Paul Moloney to touch off the gambled on Merchants Friend in the opening Senator Windows Maiden Hurdle (Division 1). 'He has come back from Cheltenham in great form, and will be aimed at Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown before returning to the Flat,' she said.
