Danny Howard was the focus of attention as Green Avenue was disqualified after 'winning' the Connaught Gold Handicap Hurdle (Dvision 1) when the 5lb claimer failed to weigh in.
Howard said he was 'distracted by wellwishers' on returning to the weighroom after the Michael Carroll-trained mare had beaten Ansari by a length and a half, and he went straight back to the jockeys changing room without weighing in. He was given a seven days suspension, and also ordered to forfeit his riding fee.
Peruvian Athlete justified strong support in the opening C.P. Supplies Maiden Hurdle. The 2/1 (from 7/2) favourite was patiently ridden by Ruby Walsh, jumping past Laurier Rose at the last to score by a length and a half.
Walsh, now three behind Paul Carberry on the 22 winner mark in the National Hunt jockeys championship, later completed a double aboard Henry's Girlie in the Armstrong Ceilings Handicap Hurdle. Fintan Feeney's charge, who drifted right when striking the front on the run-in, survived a stewards enquiry after beating Sitetanic by three quarters of a length.
Willie Sheehy, a vet from Gorey, Co Wexford, recorded his first winner under rules when Fata Albertina led three out under Shane Fizgerald to take division two of the handicap hurdle. 'She won twice on the Flat in Italy, and I bought her for #6,000 at Goffs', said the permit-holder.
Ballykettrail took a real walk in the market (4/7 to 7/4) for the Corrib Oil Maiden Hurdle, but Paul Moloney's mount defied the lack of confidence with a facile six lengths victory over fellow joint-favourite Gamekeeper.
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