No fuss for Mabel with Ballinrobe win

Time For Mabel was expected to make his third start in Ireland a winning one and the 11/8 favourite duly achieved a success under Andrew Lynch in the opening At The Races Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Edward O'Grady 's charge got the better of his main market rival, Way Wild West on the long run to the last, and a slight peck here did nothing to hamper him on the way to a four length verdict over Oighear Dubh

"I'm very pleased with that. He is a horse I bought in France and I think with a bit of luck he will have new colours the next day," said O'Grady.

"I don't know where he will go now. He might go for a little handicap hurdle somewhere, or there is a few Flat options as well.

"I wasn't so sure about him going on the ground, even though he won on the soft in France, but I must say he handled it very well. He jumped well so hopefully he will only get better."

The Stewards interviewed A.J.Martin, trainer of Oighear Dubh, regarding the late arrival of the horse into the Parade Ring. Evidence was heard from the trainer who stated that this animal has been difficult in the past and furthermore the tongue strap kept loosening after being fitted.

Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that A.J. Martin was in breach of Rule 32(ii) by failing to parade his charge in the ring a reasonable time before the signal to mount was given and consequently severely cautioned him having taken his previous recent record into consideration.

(DM & EM)