Love conquers Kabylia in Cork opener The winner of a point-to-point and bumper, Love At Sea (5/2 from 7/2) opened her account over flights when battling back gamely to land the Mallow Mares Maiden Hurdle. Second at Ballinrobe on her most recent start, the Eddie Power-trained seven-year-old attempted to make all this afternoon, but was headed by the smooth travelling Kabylia (11/8f) after jumping three out. Not fluent over the last, the market leader failed to kick on when given the hurry-up and was headed by the rallying Phillip Enright-ridden victor inside the final 150 yards, with half-a-length separating them at the line. Conor Stone-Walsh was aboard the Gavin Cromwell-trained runner-up, with this one proving easy-to-back before the off, drifting from 4/5. Returned at 13/2, Arctic Flame was another two-and-three-quarters of a length away in third, with a further 11-length gap to the fourth. "She is a nice filly who ran well for John Reddington from the front last year, so we went with those tactics again," Power explained. "She badly needed the break we gave her, she has come back and being fully exposed rated 108 today, she was entitled to get her day. "She was headed and came back, and while Gavin Cromwell's mare Kabylia travelled in the jockey's hands the whole way she seemed to burn herself out and the bump at the last helped to wake our mare back up. "There is a mares' winner of one at Bellewstown on August 27th for her next and she could go down the rated novice route before going chasing next year. "Sean (Dalton, owner) is the main man in my yard and I wouldn't have taken out my license only for him, but haven't looked back since. I have another couple of clients although I'd like to keep the numbers small and do the job right." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Moon Eclipse, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be showing signs of being in season post race. * D. Meyler, rider of Irish Music (FR), trained by J.P.Dempsey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was hampered by the faller. * The Raceday Stewards interviewed Gillian Scott, trainer of Matilauna, regarding the withdrawal of the horse citing transport difficulties. Evidence was heard from the trainer who stated that she had a puncture after leaving the yard and knowing she would not be in time for the first race rang the track to withdraw her charge as a non runner. Gillian Scott was able to fix the puncture and present her other charge Ask The Bookie for identification to an I.H.R.B Veterinary Officer ahead of Race 7. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted her explanation with regards to the non runner. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
