Grassick & Carey hit the bulls-eye at Curragh

Michael Grassick, trainer of Elusive In Paris runner-up in the 4.00, teamed-up with the in-form Sonny Carey (rode the bumper winner Dr Linzi at Galway on Tuesday) to land the Curragh Amateur Derby with King Of Aran at odds of 16/1.

Carey tracked through Patrick Mullins on Double Double travelling well, and King Of Aran stayed on well under pressure inside the last to get up and beat that rival by a head.

Grassick said: "We were waiting for ground. He got a knock in the spring and we were waiting for months for a bit of ground.

"He's better when fresh and he gave him a lovely ride. I thought he wasn't right coming down the hill but they were all bunched coming into the straight.

"It's a nice change of luck."

Meanwhile Carey explained: "He travelled great from early on. Niall (McCullagh) told me to ride him with plenty of confidence. I had ridden him work on Tuesday and he went well so I was fancying his chances."

Fiona Mullins took a fall from First Friday as the runners reached the business end. She was later reported to be progressing satisfactorily at Naas hospital. Phantom Of Plenty (8s into 9/2) finished down the field.

The Stewards enquired into 2 incidents in the home straight, the first of which involved Double Double (FR), ridden by Mr PW Mullins, Forest Minx ridden by Mr DL Queally, Benefit Of Porter ridden by Mr NJ Redmond, Johnnys Legacy ridden by Miss K Harrington and Paddy The Celeb ridden by Mr JT Carroll where it appeared interference took place and the second incident involved Quench The Flame ridden by Miss P Ryan, Phantom Of Plenty, ridden by Mr JJ Codd, First Friday, ridden by Miss FK Mullins and Paddy The Celeb, ridden by Mr JT Carroll, where it appeared interference also took place and ultimately First Friday clipped a heel, stumbled and unseated Miss FK Mullins.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned, with the exception of Miss FK Mullins who could not attend the enquiry as she was receiving medical attention.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that in the first incident Mr JT Carroll was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and taking his record in this regard into account, they suspended him for 4 racedays.

In the second incident, the Stewards were of the opinion the interference was caused accidentally and they took no further action.

(GC & EM)