Champion amateur rider Derek O'Connor was suspended for seven days at Punchestown yesterday after the stewards judged that he made insufficient effort on Community Dan in the opening maiden hurdle.
The Martin Kinane-trained gelding, who stayed on well inside the final half mile to finish twelfth in the 22 runner race, was banned from racing for 42 days although Kinane escaped any penalty as his explanation that the horse was further back in the field than requested and should have been ridden more vigorously was noted.
O'Connor, who is clear leader on the point-to-point circuit this season, stated that his mount missed the break and was given an educational and not over forceful ride. He added that the horse ran very green but ran on well to the line. The stewards felt that the five-year-old gelding had not run on its merits as a result of the way he was ridden, and the suspension rules him out of action on February 24, 26, 27 and March 3, 5, 6, 10.
Victory in this race went to Akhtari, owned by the Gigginstown House Stud of Michael O'Leary, and the Ryanair supremo was on hand to lead in his five-year-old. Paddy Flood elected to make all the running, and his mount stayed on strongly in the straight to beat Tycoon Hall by three and a half lengths. 'He wasn't quite right when disappointing at Gowran last time, and really wants better ground. We'll find a novice for him next,' said trainer Dessie Hughes.
Hughes later completed a double when sending out Sea Diva to make a successful debut in the bumper. The Old Vic mare was a first winner under rules for 20-year-old amateur Robbie Hennessy, catching Ashamdil close home to score by half a length.
Kevin Coleman has been enjoying a good run of success in recent weeks, and his claim was reduced from 7lb to 5lb after partnering his 15th winner aboard Jack The Hough in the three miles handicap hurdle. Philip Walsh's charge stretched clear before the last, and had two lengths to spare at the line from the strong finishing Rock Snow Drop.
Coleman is based nearby with trainer Francis Flood, who was also on the mark when saddling G V A Ireland to take the two and three quarter miles beginners chase. Davy Russell was aboard the 11/8 favourite who headed the front-running Dublin Hunter between the final two fences and was driven out to hold on by half a length.
Teeming Rain was also prominent throughout when justifying good support (9/4 to 13/8 favourite) in the other two miles maiden hurdle on the card. The six-year-old was driven into the lead approaching the second last by David Casey and, despite losing some ground when a bit slow at the last, galloped on again to beat Django by two and a half lengths. 'He'll go for a novice somewhere, and we'll probably put him over fences next season,' said trainer Charlie Swan.
