Treacy lands 1st festival win for red-hot team

"Fair play to Mrs Harrington for giving me the ride. I go in there one morning a week and I'm very grateful for getting the opportunity," said jockey Ryan Treacy after landing the big field Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Magic Of Light (16s into 11s).

"It's my first festival winner so it's brilliant," added Fermanagh man Treacy, who had to endure a lengthy spell on the sidelines after horrible injuries sustained in a Galway Plate fall in 2015.

After Magic Of Light had got there in time to nail Blast Of Koeman by a head winning owner/trainer Jessica Harrington explained: "My children all thought I was mad running her — they all said she wanted soft ground.

"I didn't think she'd get in — she was number 12 on the ballot list — but when she got in we said we'd run her.

"It's great for Ryan — he comes down and rides out for me one day a week. I'm delighted for him to get a Punchestown winner.

"The only time she was in front was at the line, and she probably needs three miles. I've been running her on the wrong ground as all the family want it good.

"She smashed a pelvis badly in a point-to-point last year and we are lucky to still have her. The vets did a great job and it's all thanks to John Hyde."

Donagh Meyler is the outright winner of the Martinstown Series.

The Stewards received a report from Turf Club Starter,P.F. Graffin, that T.N. Brett, rider of Bitview Colin and A. McCurtin, rider of Danali had failed to obey his instructions thereby causing a false start.

Evidence was heard from the starter and riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the incident and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that T.N. Brett and A. McCurtin were in breach of Rule 208 by failing to comply with the instructions of the Starter. Having taken each riders record into consideration the Stewards suspended T.N. Brett for 1 raceday and A. McCurtin for 3 racedays.

T.N. Brett, rider of Bitview Colin trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount sustained a cut to a hind leg and furthermore met with interference on the turn into the straight.

(AM & EM)