Curling banned for `insufficient effort'

Amateur jockey Sam Curling faces a prolonged Christmas holiday after being hit with a 14-day ban by the Fairyhouse stewards yesterday.

Curling, son of the equine artist Peter Curling, finished third on the Edward O'Grady-trained Takagi in the Curragha Maiden Hurdle but the authorities decided the rider had made "insufficient effort" on the horse.

The second favourite, Leaders Way, beat Regal Venture by three lengths with the 12 to 1 shot Takagi just a neck back in third, and Curling, who has ridden two winners during his career, later told the stewards he had "got very tired in the straight as he had not ridden for six weeks".

O'Grady's representative Tim Finn had told the stewards he was not satisfied with Curling's riding from the third-last flight and added: "Mr Curling is an inexperienced rider but he should have made a better effort from three hurdles out." After viewing the video, Curling accepted he had given Takagi a poor ride.

Curling's ban will begin on St Stephen's Day and continue to January 18th. The stewards also noted Finn's explanation.

On a dreary day it was hard to think as far ahead as Cheltenham in mid-March, but the ex-French Fruit Defendu earned a 25 to 1 quote from Cashmans for the Triumph Hurdle after an impressive hurdling debut in the opener.

Now trained by Noel Meade, Fruit Defendu was twice a winner on the flat in France for Elle Lelouche and will be trained for the Dennys Hurdle at Christmas after providing the table-topper Ruby Walsh with a 49th winner of the season.

A Dennys of the chase variety was on Mouse Morris's mind following Alcapone's admirable success in the Donaghmore Beginners Chase.

Alcapone jumped brilliantly for David Casey but was practically assaulted by a loose horse on the run to the third last and did really well to hold off Shiny Bay.

"That was a bit eventful but he jumped really well," said Morris, who explained the winner's name by saying: "He has a really big scar on a front leg!"

The well-touted newcomer Rathgar Beau duly ran out an impressive scorer in the bumper, coming home eight lengths clear under Aidan Fitzgerald; and Wicked Crack was an even easier winner of the handicap hurdle for Naas-based trainer Eddie Hales.

Matt O'Dywer has been appointed as general manager-IHA Racecourses, the Irish Horseracing Authority announced yesterday. He will take charge of both the Leopardstown and Navan tracks and will succeed Tony Corcoran, who has been acting general manager since May. Corcoran will now resume his duties as the IHA industry development and support services manager.