Slatterys bookend the card with 107/1 double Red Charlie landed a few bets on stable debut as he easily beat 22 rivals in the Cavalor Equine Nutrition Handicap over seven furlongs at the Curragh. Unplaced in five starts for Emmet Mullins and making his debut for Andy Slattery after a 16-month layoff, the American-bred was settled in mid-division and improved to challenge travelling well approaching the final furlong. Ridden clear by Andrew Slattery, the 11/1 chance (from 20s this morning) went away to score by four and three-quarter lengths from Mickey The Steel. There was an unusual incident at the start where one of the stalls handlers ran out in front of the gates, just as they were opening, in an apparent attempt to retrieve something from the ground. He was run over by a number of horses, but was soon back on his feet. A few runners. including fourth-placed Royal Impact, were hampered in this incident. After the victory of Opalite in the two-year-old maiden, this completed a 107/1 double for the Slatterys. Winning trainer Andy Slattery commented "He was working very well. Emmet (Mullins) had him as a two-year-old and he got injured. I have all the horses for Padraig (O’Rourke) and he decided to send him on to me,it was either that or get rid of him.  “He worked very well and I fancied him, I thought he’d go close.  “We don’t know what he is yet, but he’s a nice horse. He’s probably not badly handicapped, he won with a bit in hand.  “He probably likes that ground because he did work on it the other day.  “The owner had lost faith after having him as a two-year-old and sent him on as a last resort. We have him about four months.  “The owner is in shock there! I told him he’d win.”   The Raceday Stewards enquired into the circumstances whereby a stall handler crossed in front of the stalls as they opened and was subsequently knocked to the ground. Evidence was heard from Mr J.R. Banahan, IHRB Senior Starter, Mr Emmanuel Behan, Stall Handler Team Leader and J.J.G. Ryan, rider of Royal Impact, who collided with the stall handler. Mr Banahan stated that he followed the correct procedure and started the race and was surprised to see a stall handler crossing in front of the horses as the gates opened. Mr Behan confirmed that the correct procedures were carried out and unfortunately a stall handler had dropped something in front of the stalls and turned back to pick it up without warning. He confirmed that the gentleman was uninjured by the incident. J.J.G. Ryan stated that a stall handler appeared from his left and that his mount knocked him down causing his horse to stumble and there was nothing he could do about it. Having considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation under the provisions of Rule 14(ii)(b). Additional reporting by Gary Carson
