"He has been unlucky not to have won before now, being beaten by good horses in maidens and better handicapped horses in handicaps," said Jim Culloty after 9/2 chance Crown Of Gold landed the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle at Listowel under Bryan Cooper.

Favourite River Run made mistakes and finished a completely tailed off sixth of the seven finishers, whilst second market-choice Vinnie Luck put it up to his rivals from the front.

A second last flight mistake was no help to him, and he eventually kept going at the one pace to finish fourth.

Crown Of Gold 'missed' the last himself but he kept going well to defeat Don't Wait Up and Leader's Choice by a length and a half and a nose.

"He showed so much pace I was slow in stepping him up to three miles but maybe I was a bit slow not to step him up to three miles earlier," added Culloty.

"He has a lovely attitude and is a grand horse and will go chasing again and can mix it. He is an alright jumper of a fence but I wouldn't ask him to jump fences on soft ground."

It was Cooper's first winner for the trainer and on his fellow Kerry man Culloty said: "Bryan is a nice fellow and is a very good rider and I'll hope to use him over the winter."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined River Run (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a wound on both the left fore and right hind, and trotted unlevel behind post race. Samples were taken for analysis.

The Stewards interviewed I.J. McCarthy, rider of Vinnie Luck, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(e) in that he had used his whip other than down the shoulder or the hind quarters. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended him for two race days and ordered that he attend R.A.C.E for one day's tuition on the correct use of the whip.

The Stewards interviewed D.N. Russell, rider of Leaders Choice, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(e), in that he had used his whip other than down the shoulder or the hind quarters. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended him for one race day.

(TW & EM)