The life of a jump jockey can be tough at the best of times but the Directors Handicap Hurdle at Tralee yesterday provided an incident which would not be out of place on a 'what happened next' clip.
Turning in for home on the final time Burren Moonshine and Knocknabrogue had pulled well clear of the remaining nine runners with Burren Moonshine holding a slight advantage under Keith Hadnett.
However, Burren Moonshine's saddle slipped sideways leaving Hadnett with no chance of holding on, giving him a crashing fall and the jockey in turn brought down Paul Carberry's mount Knocknabrogue. Fortunately neither riders or horses were injured although Keith Hadnett was shaken afterwards.
The race went to Allstar Rose for trainer Tom Taaffe and jockey David Casey who held the challenge of Montreal by a length and a half.
Five runner handicap chases rarely provide too much to write about but the Ballybeggan Handicap Chase did see plenty of drama with two of the five slipping up in an almost identical manner on separate circuits.
Joint 11/8 favourite Teo Perugo slipped up entering the straight on the first circuit while Sinister Affair, possibly held in second at the time, slipped up on the same spot racing to the second last fence. The race was won by the other 11/8 joint favourite Victor Boy, under Barry Geraghty. Winning trainer Gerry Keane reported 'Victor Boy doesn't get a yard beyond two miles and would not be in love with that fast ground. However, it is hard to find suitable races for him and we decided to run.'
Michael Hourigan's Sargon started at an almost unbackable price of 4/11 in the two mile novice hurdle but did not win as well as his starting price would have suggested in the three runner contest. The winner was the most likely winner before the final flight but was being ridden out by Paul Carberry when nearest pursuer Curragh Gem make a bad mistake at the final flight.
On a more relaxed Flat racing point of view, John Oxx won the opening mile maiden with Akilak (7/4 second favourite), a first win for seven pound apprentice jockey Jamie Moriarty's in his native Kerry.
A fair sized gamble failed to get past the starting stalls in the Caherconree Handicap when locally trained We're Stoneybroke (10/1 - 9/2) was withdrawn after failing to load. The race eventually went to Malachy Ryan's Silver Spray who just held the late challenge of Sean Nos by a short head.
Ryan later praised winning jockey Davy Condon stating 'he did exactly what he told to do and produced her with a perfectly timed run.'
Division one of the Ballyheigue Handicap saw Niall Moran's Potsdam finally open his account, having reached the frame on a few previous occasions. Paul Scallan produced Potsdam with a perfectly timed challenge to lead well inside the final furlong. Winning trainer Niall Moran reported 'we'll see what the handicapper does and we might end up going back to the Galway Festival again.'
The concluding bumper was won by Golden Fantasy for trainer John Queally and jockey Niall Madden.
Thomas Weekes.
