Stoughan Cross (11/1 — 12/1 — 8/1) triumphed in the New Summer In Town Racing Weekend June 6th & 7th Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown for Tom Gibney and Oakley Brown.

The successful Court Cave gelding, an eleven-year-old at this stage, was supported at bigger prices earlier, and Brown, successful on Fakir at Gowran on Saturday, put up two pounds over-weight.

That didn’t matter in the end as Stoughan Cross was strongest from the last to beat favourite Moll Dote by a length. There was half a length then to Fourina in third.

“He was well-in compared to his chase mark and he hits a bit of good form every year. He’s in good form at the moment and things worked out nicely,” said Gibney.

“We actually only ran him in a hurdle because there were no suitable chases coming up. We’ve tried him over three a couple of times but all his wins are over two and a half.

“I was going to run him in the amateur race in Fairyhouse that was called off a week ago and is on next Monday, but we saw this hurdle and said we’d chance it.

“If we can get one a year with him we are very happy.”

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. Hugh Hynes, that O.R. Brown, nominated rider of Stoughan Cross, had presented himself at scales to weigh out at 2lbs overweight which was not previously declared under Rule 195.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned in the presence of Thomas Gibney, trainer of Stoughan Cross.

Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that O.R. Brown was in breach of Rule 198 (vii).

Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended O.R. Brown for 5 racedays.

The Stewards allowed O.R. Brown to ride Stoughan Cross.

C.D. Maxwell, rider of Hide Out trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount gurgled from three furlongs out.

(AM & EM)