Grant wins on first ride back

Danny Grant was successful on his first ride back after a six month drugs ban as his mount Art Scene ran out an easy winner of the Follow Us On Twitter @corkracecourse Handicap.

The five-year-old daughter of Excellent Art won at Tipperary in August of 2013 but had been ultimately disappointing since.

A well-beaten ninth on her last start at Gowran she was sent off a 16/1 chance today.

Prominent in the early stages she soon improved to dispute the lead. She hit the front over two furlongs from home and she was ridden clear from over a furlong out, keeping on strongly to win by five and a half lengths. Johann Bach kept on well to finish second at 16/1 under Emmet McNamara for Pat Harney while Clifton Miss (9/2) was a further length and a half back in third under Pat Smullen for Adrian Keatley. Shabra Emperor who won at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, was sent off the 11/4 favourite and he finished a further three parts of a length back in fourth.

Pat Flynn said afterwards: "It's Danny's first ride back and he's back with a bang.

"She's a lovely little filly but needs to get everything right. The handicapper will probably give her a slap after that but I'm delighted for the syndicate (the Hat Creek Racing Syndicate) from Savannah, Georgia and it's great as two of them are here today."

STEWARDS REPORTS

W.J. Lee, rider of Moss Nation (GB) trained by Daniel William O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran short of room early on and did not act on the ground.

The Stewards enquired into an incident shortly after leaving the stalls involving Aussie Guest ridden by D.P. Linehan, unplaced, Apache Gold ridden by C. O'Donoghue, placed fifth, Moss Nation (GB), ridden by W.J. Lee, unplaced and Longfield Lad ridden by C.D. Hayes, unplaced, where it appeared Moss Nation (GB) ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned in the presence Of Mr Brendan Walsh, representing J. P. Murtagh, master of D.P. Linehan. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that C.O'Donoghue was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Worth Avenue trained by W.T. Farrell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost a front shoe.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee