Shield weighs in light and loses Wexford's 3rd After enduring a trying time in the opening two races, favourite backers had a slice of luck at Wexford in the third, the Wellingtonbridge Novice Hurdle, as 8/13 chance Bentelimar got the race with first past the post Shield thrown out for weighing in light. In the four runner two and a quarter miler, there was some sloppy jumping, but Bentelimar and Shield had it to themselves from a long way out as outsiders Changeofluck and Late For Supper trailed. A bad mistake at the third last by Shield looked to settle things in Bentelimar's favour but the former really came alive from the back of the last. Racing down the centre he went away to outpoint Bentelimar by eight lengths. The J P McManus-owned, Aidan O'Brien-trained Shield lost the race though after rider Robbie Power weighed in a number of pounds light. Bentelimar, trained by Philip Fenton for James Ryan, and ridden by Brian O'Connell, was awarded the race. The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, W. Fleming, that R.M. Power, rider of Shield, placed first, had weighed in 8lbs light. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he had weighed out correctly but noticed on weighing in that his lead cloth was missing and he was 8lbs light. Evidence was also heard from Jim O'Brien, Authorised representative of A.P. O'Brien, trainer of Shield. He admitted that he had inadvertently forgotten to include the lead cloth when saddling Shield. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that R.M. Power had weighed in 8 lbs light and therefore was in breach of Rule 231 (i). Under the provisions of this rule "Shield" was disqualified and the result was amended to read; First - Bentelimar, Second - Changeofluck, Third - Late For Supper. The Stewards found that Jim O'Brien was solely responsible for this error and therefore was in breach of Rule 148(i) and Rule 36(iii). Using their powers under Rule 14 the Stewards fined A.P. O'Brien, trainer, €2,000 through his representative Jim O'Brien. (DM & EM)
