Trainer Henry De Bromhead's heart must have missed a few beats at Wexford yesterday with confusion reigning in the aftermath of his Laoch Dubh's success in the opening Nick O'Donnell Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
De Bromhead was talking to reporters when an announcement to the effect that 'the stewards are inquiring into the weighing-in procedure of the winner' was made, with the Co Waterford's trainer's jaw dropping noticeably. Fortunately, the result stood, with Clerk Of The Scales Bill Fleming taking the blame, having mixed-up number cloths when winning jockey Denis O'Regan weighed in.
In the race itself, Laoch Dubh made all and eventually battled well to record a length and a half success over 8/11 favourite Mango Catcher. De Bromhead, in his briefing before the announcement, mentioned 'I'm delighted for connections because he has been placed on a good few occasions and he runs quite keen. After the last day, Denis (O'Regan) told us to let him gallop away in front and that seems to have worked perfectly.'
Jockey Denis O'Regan regained his composure and completed the first double of his career half an hour later when giving Crash Bandit another excellent ride to win the 2m2f handicap hurdle for trainer Tom McCourt.
Most valuable event on the card was the E13,500 Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap which saw Final Opinion swoop late to record his second win (both at this venue). The winner will now go for a similar handicap, most likely at Tralee, according to trainer Declan Gillespie.
Co Clare trainer Noel Glynn often sets racecourse commentators difficult conundrums with horses' names and his Totheroadyouvgone was his latest winner, in the 2m4f handicap chase. Winning jockey Martin Ferris has made a fine start to his professional career and was again seen to good affect on the twelve length winner.
Trainer Michael Halford regularly churns out promising apprentices and twenty two year old Stephen Hunter may well continue that trend, having ridden a fine race to win the Tote Exacta Handicap on Halford's Your Father. Halford described Hunter as 'a fine rider who is very good value for his seven pound claim. That win might help give him more outside rides now.'
Thomas Weekes.
