For Everyone springs surprise in Ballinrobe opener For Everyone sprang a surprise in the opener at Ballinrobe, the J.J. Burke 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Derek Fox for his uncle Mark McNiff. Well-beaten on his debut over flights at Hexham in June, the son of Pour Moi was last seen finishing sixth on the level at Limerick. Sent off at 22/1 this evening, he raced in mid-division and stumbled on the run between flights two and three. He made good progress to lead with a circuit to race and was ridden from the last to see off the effort of Global Freedom by a length and a half. The runner-up was returned at 5/2 under Denis O'Regan for Gordon Elliott, while Laura Bullion (5/6 favourite) was another half a length back in third. The market leader wasn't fluent at times but kept on well without threatening in the straight. Brexit Briefcase (10s this morning and returned 9/2) was still in with every chance when he was quickly pulled up injured after jumping the second last. "We thought he'd go well in the first juvenile hurdle of the season over at Hexham but he had an awful run over on the boat," said McNiff. "He went nuts when he landed so that was that. The form from his last run at Limerick on the Flat has worked out very well though. "He's even schooled over fences and he's savage to jump. "We've had four beaten favourites from our last nine runners and it's great to get that. "I'm not sure where he'll go next but he'd prefer to go the other way around." STEWARDS REPORT * The Stewards interviewed D.R. Fox, rider of For Everyone, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(e) (wrong place) (g) (frequency) and (i) (time to respond) and having taken his record into account suspended him for 3 race days. Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
