O'Brien In Trouble At Dundalk

Since the Turf Club amended Rule 212 in an effort to clamp down on alleged non-triers Irish race day stewards have been busy implementing the new rule. The latest trainer to feel its wrath is Aidan O'Brien who was hit with a fine of €2,000 over the running of Music Box (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at Dundalk on Friday evening. Wayne Lordan, who rode the newcomer into third place behind stable-mate Asking (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) was handed a five-day ban for making insufficient effort while the horse received a 42-day ban. O'Brien was not present at Dundalk but was represented by Pat Keating who expressed his satisfaction with the ride and was also delighted with the filly's run. Lordan also expressed his delight with her run and informed stewards that in his opinion the filly was doing her best work at the finish and that she had run a nice race under a nice educational ride from which she should improve. Having considered the evidence and reviewed the race the stewards were satisfied the rule had been breached and handed out the relevant sanctions. When contacted, O'Brien was reluctant to comment on the situation merely to describe the steward's decision as “bizarre”.