Black Hawk shrugs aside ground worries

Ballydoyle newcomer Black Hawk War (5/1), and eventual second, Creme De La came together and bumped over a furlong out. However in the end the Donnacha O'Brien-ridden Black Hawk War proved much the best in the Patrickswell Maiden at Limerick, scoring by three and a quarter lengths.

Black Hawk War was equipped with a tongue-strap, and the American-bred son of War Front is out of a Lost Code mare named Lasting Code.

"He's a nice horse but being by War Front, we were worried about the ground and he'd like better," suggested Donnacha O'Brien.

"We were hopeful he'd run a nice race and I'd say we'll try and run again before the end of the year."

Seamie Heffernan rode Aidan O'Brien's other runner in the race, Sean O'Casey (7/2) and he finished sixth.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Black Hawk War (USA), ridden by D. O'Brien, winner and Creme De La (USA), ridden by P.J. Smullen, placed second, where it appeared both horses came off their intended racing lines and collided. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards considered the interference to be accidental and they took no further action.

(TW & EM)