Paul Carberry will be crowned champion National Hunt jockey when the season ends on Friday, but he was left red-faced after the opening novice hurdle at Kilbeggan yesterday evening when the eased-down hot favourite, Heart Midoltian, was caught on the line.
The Noel Meade-trained grey led before the penultimate flight, and looked sure to score when still three lengths clear at the last. However, Carberry eased the 8/13 favourite in the closing stages after taking a long look over his left shoulder, and failed to see High Tower driven up on his inside by Danny Howard to snatch the spoils by a short-head.
Carberry admitted in a subsequent stewards enquiry that he 'stopped riding before the finishing line' because he 'heard the race commentary and felt he was well clear'. The stewards suspended the Meathman for seven days (June 6-11 & 13), and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
The current champion Ruby Walsh recorded a 13/1 double aboard Princess Symphony and Vanilla Man. Princess Symphony was sent clear four out in the Leinster Petroleum Novice Hurdle, and stayed on strongly in this three miles event to beat Raunchy by 20 lengths.
'She's an out and out stayer, and will probably go chasing later this year,' said successful trainer Eamonn Sheehy.
Walsh also had Vanilla Man up with the pace throughout in the www.kilbegganraces.com Beginners Chase, and Paddy Mullins' charge galloped on resolutely to the line for a 25 lengths verdict over Albatros.
Michael Hourigan saddled a 1-2 in the featured Thorntons Recycling Centre Handicap Chase, with Dodger Nash making all under Barry Geraghty to beat the Walsh-ridden Scallybuck by three-and-a-half-lengths.
The Keenan Bros Handicap Hunters Chase was the first race of its type run in this country, and Polaris Flame justified 5/2 favouritism when driven right out to hold off The Wipper by a length.
Alan Magee
