Ruby Walsh, who was due to ride at Warwick until that meeting was abandoned yesterday morning, was prevented by the stewards from partnering two horses for Willie Mullins at Clonmel.
The former champion, who replaced an injured rider for his only mount on third placed She'll Be Lucky in the handicap hurdle, was not allowed team up with Mullins' pair Maram and One Night Out.
'The stewards turned down my written request to use Ruby as they considered there was not a valid reason. I had already got agreement from the riders involved (David Casey and Shay Barry) and their agents to make the changes in the event of Warwick being called off,' said Mullins.
Mullins added, 'I don't agree with the decision, and plan taking it further through the Trainers Association. I believe the spirit of the rule is there to prevent the top British jockeys coming over here when their meetings are called off, but that is certainly not the case in this instance.' Incidentally One Night Out, the 5/2 favourite, unseated Shay Barry five out in the winners chase, where On The Mend led two out to beat Garvivonnian by six lengths.
Cork permit-holder Denis Allen recorded his first success when Calling Classy stayed on gamely under Garrett Cotter to deny the gambled-on Parsons Legacy by three quarters of a length in the opening maiden hurdle. 'I took out a permit last April, and have six horses in at the moment mainly for point-to-points. This fellow may go for a novice at Limerick next week,' said Allen.
Adrienne Foley made her first ride over hurdles a winning one when Yogi, trained by her father Tom, took the lady riders handicap hurdle in fine style. Ms Foley was adding to 14 previous bumper wins, two of which were gained on this gelding, and her claim is now reduced from 7lb to 5lb. 'Adrienne gets on better with his horse than anyone, but it took alot of convincing to get her to ride over hurdles. She schooled him on the Curragh, and that gave her the confidence to give it a go,' said the County Carlow handler.
Mackinus broke his maiden tag at the 26th attempt when getting up in the final stride under James Carroll to pip Coolnahilla in the amateur riders handicap chase. 'I promised James that if he won on him then we would go for the four miles National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham,' said trainer Pat Fahy.
Adrian Lane, who partnered a double at Gowran Park last Saturday, moved onto the 17 winner mark for the season when Keepakicker stretched clear in the straight for a 12 length victory in the handicap hurdle. 'He fell heavily at the last when sure to win a chase at the Limerick Christmas meeting, and that seemed to affect him alot as he subsequently jumped poorly over hurdles at Fairyhouse. However he schooled well since, and was much better today,' said trainer Eric McNamara.
The lightly-raced Green River, owned by Paul Green, 'appreciated the soft ground' when making most of the running in the hands of Robbie Colgan to take the three miles maiden hurdle.
Alan Magee
