Pat O'Connor gets himself off the 'cold' list Min, Pont Aven and Cadmium had made for a 'happy hour' for the Willie Mullins team and supporters but their even money favourite Defy De Mee took an early fall in the first split of the Springtime In Wexford Maiden Hurdle. This two and a half miler eventually went the way of Sullane Hill. Riding Sullane Hill (8/1) for the first time for Pat O'Connor, J J Slevin got the Witness Box gelding home by half a length from Eclair De Rock (66/1), with the pair thirteen lengths clear of third home Lethal Steps (4/1 2nd favourite). Pat O'Connor, registering his first track success since Knockraha Prince on July 16th 2015, said: "He ran last year in Killarney and was fourth in a good maiden hurdle. The last day he ran in Thurles he missed the last two and he might have been second to Henry's (de Bromhead) horse only for that. That horse (Walk Away) is running in a Grade 1 at Aintree today. "James Hannon rides him out and he said; 'if this horse doesn't win today I give up.' In fairness to him he is a good judge. "He'll go for a novice now or a handicap, we'll see. He is probably a chaser in the making." The Stewards fined Eamon Courtney, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Our Dark Horse, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Our Dark Horse in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Effernock Fizz trained by Miss Katy Brown was found to have lost the right fore shoe in running. (DM & EM)
