Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Gary Carson
Chaotic scenes in first division of bumper
Bach To Whitingbay avoided the chaos to score
© Photo Healy Racing
The first division of the bumper at Gowran Park was marred by chaotic scenes entering the straight as several horses fell or where brought down.
The sequence of events started when Once And For All appeared to injure himself and fell turning for home.
He brought down Dark Caviar and Toberlownagh Lady while Castlemcniff was badly hampered and unseated his rider.
Dell Money, coming along behind, slipped up and badly hampered Coco Be Cool who unseated.
The only ones not involved in the melee were the first five home, who were ahead of the drama. Bach To Whitingbay emerged on top as he was produced to challenge early in the straight.
He kicked on with over a furlong to run to post a two-and-three-quarter-length winning margin over 2/1 favourite Desert Hall
The easy to back 6/1 winner (from 9/2) was a second winner for trainer Richard Morrissey, who has only held a licence for a month.
He saddled his first winner at Wexford last Wednesday when Fromthecloudsabove took a maiden hurdle.
“Hopefully now I can sell him,” said the Dungarvan handler. “I have three in for the summer but we're mainly a point-to-point yard and have five or six for points.
“I work the horses on Clonea beach. It's a mile straight and we give them a hack there about five days a week.”
The winner had last run in a point-to-point at Tramore last April when he had fallen when 20-lengths clear at the last. He had scored 'between the flags' at Kilsheelan the previous October.
Once And For All was unfortunately killed.
Nina Carberry, rider of Kilaspy was taken to hospital for x-rays on her collarbone.
Her mount unseated her on the way to the start and had to be withdrawn as the jockey was injured.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)