Patrick Street prevails off career low mark Down to a career low mark of 44 and with Nicola Burns aboard for the first time, Patrick Street led home 15 rivals in the concluding Limerick Motor Centre Handicap. Without a win since October of 2023 and a beaten favourite when last seen at Gowran, the Andrew Kinirons-trained seven-year-old was returned a 10/1 chance. A bit slow into stride and racing towards rear, the Paul Mulligan-owned bay made progress from early in the straight but was soon short of room. Ridden from the furlong pole and finishing with a flourish, he got to the front inside the final 50 yards and was three-quarters of a length clear on crossing the line. Drifting from early shows of 3/1, Khormor Syd (6/1) ultimately couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for second under Seamie Heffernan. Terence O'Brien's Deed Pole (11/1) and John O'Donoghue's Miss Crinshawn (12/1) were third and fourth respectively, while Calamint (11/4f from 9/2 early) was a disappointing eighth. "That is Nicola's first ride for me so I'm delighted for her, and her uncle Micheal Burns actually taught me in school about 20 years ago. He was a sound man and Nicola gave this horse a lovely ride today," Kirirons reflected. "He has finally won again as I was getting embarrassed, as he works well. He is a grand game horse who wore cheekpieces all his life but it didn't work out the other day so we left them off. "He has ability, is a gent of a horse and recently came down to a competitive mark. His work had been way better than his runs. He is handicapped over hurdles too so he will be a fun horse for the summer. "It is great for his owner Paul Mulligan and his friends, who have another filly with us who finished second last week. They are sound lads and great supporters." STEWARDS REPORTS J. Kearney, rider of Church Mountain, trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right throughout The Raceday Stewards interviewed Nicola Burns, rider of Patrick Street (GB), where it appeared Nicola Burns struck her mount three strides after the winning line. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted she was in breach of the regulation and apologised for her actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Nicola Burns was in breach of Regulation 10.3.(d) (hitting of the horse after the winning line) and having considered her clean record in this regard they suspended her for two racedays. Having been informed of the nature of the enquiry and her right to be accompanied, Nicola Burns elected to proceed without accompaniment. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
