Bull too strong for McAuley pair

Fitted with blinkers for the first time, Big Baby Bull led home two James McAuley-trained runners in the opener at Limerick Junction, the Tipperary Races Claiming Race.

Back for a second stint with Denis Hogan, the Tagula seven-year-old was recording his fifth career success in the colours of the Premier Racing Club.

Having failed to make an impact on his previous four outings this year, he was still sent off at just 5/2, dropping back in grade.

Settled in second by Joey Sheridan, his last day claiming 3lb, he was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong pole and soon joined the front-running Tai Sing Yeh

Ridden to the front over a furlong out, he increased his advantage in the closing stages, going on to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Sent off the 7/4 favourite (from 9s in early shows), Bringsty ran on late to take second, with stable companion Tai Sing Yeh (9/1) a nose away in third.

"It was a big drop in grade but he didn't run as bad as his finishing position suggested at the Curragh on Friday," Hogan commented.

"I wasn't sure whether to skip the Curragh and come straight here but said why not run in both.

"He was weighted to be very competitive and he was only in for E10,000. These races are brilliant for the likes of him whose rating had reached too high.

"I support these races well and wish there were even more claimers.

"If we still own him, he will knock around in handicaps or another claimer. Joey is riding brilliant and today is his last day with a claim as he lost it recently - he will ride all of mine now."

STEWARDS REPORTS

J.A. Powell, rider of Qasbaz trained by James McAuley, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away from the starting stalls.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the start of this race where stall number four of Tai Sing Yeh, ridden by W. J. Lee, appeared to open quicker than the stalls of the other runners. Evidence was heard from Mr. P. L. Malone, IHRB starter and W. J. Lee. In his evidence, the starter stated that the stalls had opened as normal but W. J. Lee's mount had dropped down and pushed the gates as they opened. He added that the stalls were tested as usual prior to racing and again after this race. W. J. Lee stated that his mount had anticipated the start when he removed the hood and he pushed the gates as they opened. Having considered all the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes