May 28th not Phillip Byrnes' favourite day of the year A year to the day since he was unseated from Redwood Queen at the last in a hugely controversial incident at Wexford, jockey Phillip Byrnes again made the news for the wrong reasons as the well-backed 11/8 favourite Marian Avenue was disqualified and placed last having been first past the post in the second division of Limerick's Irish Wire Products Ltd. Handicap Hurdle. Marian Avenue was in front in the two and a-half mile contest when edging, or being manoeuvred, left on the approach to the second-last, hampering Qaasid and causing Friar Hogan, widest of the three horses, to be carried out. Marian Avenue was soon clear as Qaasid gave chase in second and, although the latter closed on the run-in, there was still a length and a-half between them at the line. There was little doubt that there would be an amended result, and Qaasid (11/1), owned by the Four Fools & A Fast Horse Syndicate, was awarded the race with Marian Avenue disqualified and placed last. Hobs Angel, originally third and 10 lengths behind Qaasid, was promoted to second with Granlahan getting third. Winning trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon said "It was unlucky on Philip Byrnes as his horse went for the wing (of the second-last hurdle) and the two boys on his outside lost out. My horse lost his two hind shoes and that, without a doubt, happened at the second-last. "This horse deserved to win as he was unlucky at Clonmel the last day when he put his foot in a hole and slipped up. He fractured ribs and everything in that fall, so today is his first day back. "I'm tired talking about watering of tracks, but there is a difference in the ground today and that is why almost everyone is going wide. "It is the owners' first winner with me so I'm delighted, as we had a few quid on him in Clonmel. I go over to London once in a while to meet the syndicate and when we meet for a pint, it usually takes three days!" Additional reporting by Tom Weekes The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference approaching the second last hurdle involving Qaasid, ridden by D.E. Mullins, placed second, Marian Avenue, ridden by P. Byrnes, placed first and Friar Hogan, ridden by S.F. O'Keeffe, carried out, where it appeared that interference occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D.E. Mullins stated that he maintained his line wide off the bend and was deliberately pushed off his line by Marian Avenue and had to take violent action to get back on track to jump the second last hurdle. He further stated that he felt this incident had cost him the winning of the race. P. Byrnes stated that his mount cocked his jaw coming down to the second last hurdle, tried to run out and that he had two hands on the reins trying to keep his mount straight. S.F. O'Keeffe stated that he maintained his outside line throughout the race when he received interference from the inside and was carried out. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that P. Byrnes was in breach of Rule 214.1.(b) in that he had ridden dangerously and as a consequence they disqualified Marian Avenue from first place. Result now reads. First: Qaasid Second: Hob's Angel Third: Granlahan Fourth: Go Avel Fifth: Celtic Crossing Furthermore having considered his clean record under Rule 214, the Raceday Stewards suspended P. Byrnes for 21 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. In arriving in their decision, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that P. Byrnes failed to correct his mount at a point in the race that was in close proximity to the hurdle and as such rode in a way which was far below that of a competent and careful Rider, and where it would be obvious to such a competent and careful Rider that riding in that way was likely to endanger the safety of another Horse or Rider. P. Byrnes, rider of Marian Avenue, trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount went to run out at the second last hurdle. S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Friar Hogan, trained by Donal Hassett, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was carried out at the seond last hurdle.
