There was an unfortunate incident in the Powerstown Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel today when 8/11 favourite Slash And Burn controversially unseated his rider David Casey at the start.
Slash And Burn had broken the tape at the original start before, at the second attempt, he jinked and unseated Casey when about to jump-off in front.
The incident saw Paddy Power Bookmakers, to their credit, refund all losing bets on Slash And Burn in a race where the firm would have certainly stood to lose a sizeable sum of money.
The race was eventually won by James Motherway's Bluesea Cracker, under Denis O'Regan, who stayed on well from the third last flight before eventually defeating Some Chief by one length.
Motherway later mentioned 'Bluesea Cracker is a nice filly and will go for a mares novice race next.'
Tony Martin's Dantes Reef landed the featured Clonmel Chase under another excellent ride from Ruby Walsh.
Walsh held the 11yo up towards the rear of the five runner field, moved through on the inner on the chase the leaders before eventually getting to the front on the approach to the final fence, before recording a four and a half length win over Lost Time.
Afterwards Martin reported 'it's the usual story - Ruby was a great help.'
He added 'Dantes Reef is entitled to win a few of these races. We could have run at Cheltenham but we were lucky to win this instead.'
Jockey Barry Geraghty recorded a double winning the opening Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle with Leonard Whitmore's Brave Right.
The former point to point winner moved through to lead entering the straight before stretching five lengths clear of The Bay Lad, at the line.
Afterwards Whitmore reported 'Brave Right would want to be winning that sort of race and will go handicapping next. He goes on any ground and will be kept going before being sent chasing next winter.'
Edward O'Grady's Dalton provided Geraghty with the second leg of a double when winning the Lisronagh Handicap Chase.
Afterwards O'Grady stated 'that's a relief to break his duck over fences and he will go for something similar again now.'
Capable jockey Tom Ryan has endured a stop-start season through numerous injuries but partnered Oliver McKiernan's Healy's Pub to a nine length win in the Comeragh Beginners Chase.
McKiernan later reported 'Healy's Pub has had his troubles but hopefully they are behind him now. He'll be entered in the Irish Grand National and may take his chance because there aren't many years left in him.'
On a day when two 11yo won, trainer Stanley Ryan produced 12 year old Mason's Arch to score his first win in two years when finishing strongly to win the Suir Handicap Hurdle, under Kevin Coleman.
Thomas Weekes.
