Admiral Wings sparked a double for trainer John Oxx in yesterday's Hogan Motors Handicap at the start of Galway's three-day September fixture but it proved a less happy race for Conor Everard who picked up a six-day ban for careless riding.
Everard got the leg up on the second favourite Legaya because Jim Bolger's stable jockey Kevin Manning was starting a two-day suspension and in the dip it looked like being a fortunate chance for the rider as Legaya, who had forced the pace from the start, led Rescue Time and Admiral Wings.
However, just after the turn in, Rescue Time tried for a gap up the rails and Legaya drifted right causing Stephen Craine to snatch up dramatically. While all this was going on Admiral Wings sailed by on the outside under John Murtagh to win the second race of his career.
"If they let rip a long way out, it can be hard to get home," said Oxx afterwards. "Today's ground suited him better than when he ran quite well at Tralee and we rode him differently too."
Everard didn't rule out appealing his six-day ban but he was also hit with a £50 fine for failing to obey a stewards secretary when called to the stewards inquiry.
The Oxx team were more directly involved in the stewards inquiry into the finish of the apprentice maiden won by their representative Renge.
The favourite beat Iolanta by four lengths but drifted right under RACE graduate Kevin Lavelle (17), causing John Mullins on the second to snatch up 150 yards out. No changes were made but Co Meath-born Lavelle, riding his first winner on only his third ride, was severely cautioned for careless riding.
Welsh Grit has had a winning lease of life since his Waterford owner, John Brennan, stopped going to the races to watch him and trainer Willie Mullins' care in making sure Mr Brennan stayed at home paid off again with a cantering defeat of Metastasio in the Naughton Handicap Hurdle.
Lewisham landed a tidy gamble when just holding off Correal Owl in the Kenny Maiden Hurdle, while the 16 to 1 shot Celticcaro won the Great Southern Hotel Handicap for the second year running, beating another outsider Run To The Ace by a length.
Favourite backers also took a hammering in the last when Musk Lime faded in the straight and finished out of the money behind Viola Royale.
Pat Eddery returns to action at Leicester today on the verge of history. The 11-time champion jockey needs just four more victories to become only the third rider in racing history to partner 4,000 winners in Britain.
Helissio will have a new jockey when he bids for a repeat win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next month, it was confirmed yesterday. Owner Enrique Sarasola's racing manager Bruno Ridoux admitted that a replacement for Cash Asmussen was being sought. "It is felt that Cash and Helissio aren't suited to each other and hence the reason for the decision to end the partnership," Ridoux said.
