Muroor gains compensation under Maxwell for McCourt

Muroor gained compensation for being disqualified over the course and distance last month, as he took the Ulster Carpets Handicap Hurdle.

After winning here on August 12th, the Tom McCourt trained five-year-old was subsequently placed last after his rider, Conor Maxwell, failed to draw the correct weight upon weighing-in.

With Maxwell again aboard this afternoon, the chestnut gelding was surprisingly sent off an easy to back 8/1 chance, having opened at 5s in early shows.

Settled in mid-division, the Sarah Foran owned victor, took closer order from five out, and was pushed along in third from the second last.

He made further progress into second at the final flight, and was ridden to the front inside the last 150 yards, going on to score by three lengths.

The front-running Bective Cave (13/2 to 5s) finished second under Paul Townend for Matthew Smith, while Maighnealta (10/1) was another four and a half lengths back in third. Shine In Dubai for Mags and Danny Mullins, was sent off the 9/4 favourite, and he finished a very disappointing twelfth.

McCourt said: "It was a bit of a sickener the last day. He loves these type of tracks. I was going to go to Tramore but he was after having two runs in a week so I said I would wait for this.

"He's getting it together a bit now. Hopefully we'll come back up here (next month on the 28th). I'd say here suits him better with the stiff finish. It's a pity it's not two on the trot now!

"It was probably a stronger pace throughout. Conor (Maxwell) thought he was just labouring a little bit coming down the hill but as soon as he hit the rise he stayed on well."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Shine In Dubai, trained by Ms Margaret Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard and coughing post race.

C.A. Landers, rider of Love The Well trained by P.Meany, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the track and pulled up thereafter.

Ms Margaret Mullins, trainer of Shine In Dubai, reported to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer that her charge was found to have blood in his trachea on endoscopic examination post race.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham