Wrekin Rock & Mick Hussey were good winners at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Half-an-hour after the drama of the Mooresbridge, a stalls malfunction caused a false start in the 'Keadeen Hotel Wedding Specialists' Handicap at the Curragh. The mile and a quarter event eventually went off 13 minutes late.
The Stewards received a report from Turf Club Starter, Mr JR Banahan, that a false start in this race was caused by the second set of stalls containing 5 horses opening markedly slower than the rest of the stalls. He said he tested the stalls before the race and after the false start and they worked perfectly, so he reloaded the horses and then effected a proper start from stalls.
Jim Gorman 's 7/1 shot Wrekin Rock was popular this morning at 16/1 (bigger in places) and he eventually got the job done by three lengths under Michael Hussey.
Gorman said: "He would have been a good second but for falling at Punchestown.
"He's been on the go a long time now and he might have a rest. He could have some May grass and come back for Galway.
"There's a four-year-old hurdle on the Monday but he wouldn't go on the firm."
Andrew Thornton was taken for x-rays on his fibula after an incident in the stalls on Donatis Comet
Thornton stated he injured his foot in the stalls when mount became unruly, thought he was fine to ride but felt lot of pain during the race and was unable to ride his mount out as a result.
Horse was post race normal – grazes on ribs though. (TW & EM)
