Bunting out early at Limerick

Tony Bloom's Brighton & Hove Albion don't play until Thursday, when they face Tottenham Hotspur that evening, but in the meantime his blue and white colours got a successful airing in the Aqua Process Solutions 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Limerick courtesy of Bunting

The easy winner of a Flat maiden at Fontainebleau in March, now gelded and jumping Bunting was impressive in the hands of Sean O'Keeffe here, to justify odds of 2/5. The French-bred son of Bathyrhon is now 8/1 from 12/1 with Paddy Power for the Triumph Hurdle.

O'Keeffe unleashed the juvenile over the closing couple of flights to beat Mr Lincoln by eight lengths. Base Money (40s into 10s) was a length and three parts back in third.

"It was a very nice performance, he was very professional and did it well," said O'Keeffe.

"He put a lot of distance between himself and his rivals late-on when winning in France and he handles that soft ground. He had a look racing down over the last two hurdles today but was he there when I wanted him."

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr. John Staunton, Authorised representative, concerning the conduct of Blindman (FR) who refused to line up in this race. The Raceday Stewards advised Brian M. McMahon, trainer, through his representative that Blindman (FR) was suspended for 30 days.

The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Ms. A. O'Keeffe, that C.P. Millar, rider of Timeless Piece had weighed in at 1.1lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that the going was heavy and he felt the muck had stuck to his riding gear causing him to weigh in slightly over. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisifed that C. P. Millar was in breach of Rule 231 and having taken his previous record into account they cautioned him on this occasion.

(TW & EM)