Bluegrass Princess delivers for O'Connells

Bluegrass Princess got punters off to a flyer with a victory in the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe for father and son Eamonn and Eoin O'Connell.

She was produced to tackle Rock On Dandy once they jumped the last in this two-mile contest.

The Choisir mare scooted into the lead on the home bend and was always holding Rock On Dandy.

The 5/2 favourite won by a length from the 20/1 runner-up. There was a five-length gap back to Take A Punt in third at 16/1.

Trainer Eamonn O'Connell said: "We've no real plans now as we just wanted to get today out of the way and to get a win over hurdles.

"It was a weak enough race and we'll just have to see now where we take her from here.

"We've been waiting for the rain for her all summer — it came a bit there tonight and Listowel is a possibility for her I'd suppose.

"We'll see how she comes out of that and we might keep her to mares races if we can."

The Stewards enquired into an incident the closing stages involving Chosen Flower ridden by J.P. O'Sullivan and Milomynit ridden by D. Robinson, where it Milomynit ran short of room on the rail and was checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that J.P. O'Sullivan was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended J.P. O'Sullivan for three race days.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy