Storm strikes on second start of the week

Turned out again quickly after finishing a close fourth on Tuesday, Storm Averted went a few places better in the Ardilaun Hotel Handicap.

Dropping back in trip, the Michael Mulvany-trained four-year-old was sent off at 7/1 in the colours of the No Chance Syndicate.

Settled behind the leaders and fourth on the inner halfway, she was poised to challenge in third approaching the straight.

Switched to the outer with over a furlong to go, she was ridden and swept to the front inside the final 200 yards, keeping on well from there to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

The front-running Goldrush Kid (20/1) had to settle for second under Jack Kearney for Patrick Magee, while Comfort Line (18/1) and Ohmali (22/1) were third and fourth respectively.

The Richard Fahey-trained Reidh was returned the 2/1 favourite, but he failed to make an impact and finished a disappointing eleventh.

"She was a bit unlucky on Tuesday night as she became unbalanced off the last bend and was only beaten half a length, when she was coming at the finish," Mulvany reflected.

"She had finished second in a maiden here last year so we were confident and the soft ground didn't inconvenience her.

"It was grand to get a clean run tonight. She is a little bit better than the 0-70 class as she had been second and third in maidens.

"I'm delighted for the syndicate but most of them aren't here today. They were all here on Tuesday but seemingly there was a wedding involved today so they had to do what they were told!

"Wesley is our stable jockey and, as everybody knows, he had a bad fall here but it is nice to see him winning at this course."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the home bend involving Tai Tam Bay ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed unplaced, Comfort Line, ridden by Adam Caffrey, placed third, and Reidh, ridden by O.J. Orr where it appeared Tai Tam Bay ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. C.D. Hayes said he ran short of room turning in. Adam Caffrey said there was enough room for a horse on his inside and was aware of the chance of a horse being there. O.J. Orr felt he kept his line and had plenty room. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found Adam Caffrey was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard, the Raceday Stewards suspended him for four racedays.

J. Kearney, rider of Goldrush Kid, trained by Patrick Magee, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned left under pressure.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Tai Tam Bay, trained by Eddie & Patrick Harty, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was interferred with turning in.

K.G. Kennedy, rider of Lucky Out trained by Miss Tara Lee Cogan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away and had no luck in the straight.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes