Meade getting a tune from Castlehume Castlehume made it two from two for Noel Meade when delivering in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Galway. The six-year-old gelding had been off track for almost a year and a half before scoring in Bellewstown for Meade last month. He showed himself to still be ahead of the handicapper as 5lb rise didn't stop him drawing clear on the run-in. He made headway on the outer under Adam Short racing to the second-last and switfly moved into the lead approaching the home bend. He was ridden before the last and then, as the closers came at him, he asserted in the final furlong to win by six and a half lengths at 10/1 from 14s. Derby De Thaix came in second at 14/1 , a length and a half in front of Kellyiscool the 9/4 favourite. Hearts Are Trumps completed the placings in fourth at 8/1. Noel Meade said: “We didn’t really do a lot with him since he won the last day. He’s fairly clear-winded. He’s a full-brother to Russian Bill and I was pretty sure he’d stay. “It was the intention to run him the first day and if he did he might have run twice. We’ll go again for something similar.” The Stewards enquired into an incident on the approach to and at the second last hurdle involving Double Speak, ridden by D.P. Maxwell, unplaced, Golden Poet, ridden by D.J. O'Keeffe, unplaced, Peacocks Secret, ridden by A. Ring, unplaced, Kellyiscool, ridden by K.J. Brouder, placed third, Trump Sixteen, ridden by A. McCurtin, fell, Always Resolute (GB), ridden by P.E. Corbett, fell, A Place Apart, ridden by J.B. Kane, brought down and Sil Ver Klass (FR), ridden by E. O'Connell, unplaced, where it appeared that Golden Poet made a manoeuvre inwards and tightened a number of runners on his inside. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was serious in nature and was caused by D.J. O'Keeffe riding carelessly. Having taken his previous record and limited experience into consideration, the Stewards suspended D.J. O'Keeffe for nine race days. The Stewards enquired into the situation whereby the second last hurdle, an Easyfix hurdle became completely dislodged and some sections turned over when horses made contact with it while jumping as a bunched group. Evidence was heard from Mr. Lorcan Wyer, IHRB Clerk of the Course who gave a detailed account of how the hurdle track was prepared for today's fixture. Working in tandem with Mr Ger Broderick, Course Foreman, the track was prepared during the morning and everything was found to be in order when the final pre race inspection was carried out about two hours before racing. He added that the hurdles were secured with three pins in the front to secure them while each section was interlocked therefore no single section could become displaced. He said that in his experience he had never seen these type of hurdles show any displacement in the past. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards referred this matter to the CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for consultation with the interested parties with a view to making any recommendations necessary to stabilise these Easyfix hurdles should a similar race riding situation arise in the future. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
