Love has McCurtin on top "He's (winning rider Ambrose McCurtin) with me since he was a garsun and that's his first horse in his own colours. "I warned him not to give away ground on the outside. "She'll go hurdling now and keep on the go," so said John Joe Walsh after his Love On Top took the finale at Ballinrobe, the Lydon House Catering INH Flat Race. Love On Top (11/2 into 4s) was one of a number of participants that attracted money in this bumper and after getting a good run down 'along the fence' she struck the front over two furlongs out. Desert Hall and Some Officer 'attacked' inside the last but they still had three parts of a length and half a length to find at the line. The gambled-on favourite, Vinnies Son (5s into 3s), could manage no better than eighth place whilst 'second-in' in the betting, Run Hurricane (7/2), fared even worse in a tailed off tenth of the twelve finishers. The Stewards enquired into an incident in the back straight involving Love on top, ridden by Mr A McCurtin, and Expressaninterest, ridden by Mr.L.P.Flynn, where it appeared that the latter suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr.McCurtin had ridden carelessly and having considered his record, suspended him for two race days. Furthermore Mr.Flynn was found to be in breach of Rule 272 having attempted to mislead the stewards with his evidence and having considered his record, fined him €100. (TW & EM)
