Hello punters:- Well, ever since the Epsom Derby, punters in general had been really looking forward to its Irish equivalent, which was run at the Curragh on Saturday last. The prospect of a mouth-watering renewal clash between New Approach and Tartan Bearer, who fought out a tight battle at Epsom, plus the expected improvement in Curtain Call and Casual Conquest, who were both close up in that Derby, was really something to look forward to, and a terrific race looked to be the order of the day last Saturday!

What an anti-climax the whole affair turned out to be! First of all, the stop-go situation regarding New Approach was on the carpet again, as it was at Epsom, although it was said this time that there was a slight injury involved. Well, the boom was lowered on New Approach's participation on the very eve of the race, which obviously caused a fierce upheaval in the betting market on race day. With the target protagonist now on the sideline, the race took on a somewhat surreal complexion, and threw up in the air the whole spice of the argument as to which or what horse was unlucky at Epsom, the outcome of which will have to wait for another day, and probably another racecourse.

It has to be said that the Curragh track was in magnificent condition on race-day, and indeed, a credit to all those involved in its preparation. All that was needed now was a race to match up with everything else on offer. That it turned into a major controversy was, I suppose, to be expected, for with New Approach absent, the chances of most of the other runners was increased to where they could now garner some of the splendid prize money on offer. The field was duly sent on its way, and remained tightly grouped until approaching three furlongs out. Here Johnny Murtagh, on the O'Brien trained Alessandro Volta, took a slight lead on the rails, but the cavalry were now closing, and at two furlongs out, there were about five horses battling for a winning lead.

What happened next was a bit bizarre, and while I don't propose to tell young Murtagh what his job is about, it struck me that as he was on the rails and running well, why on earth did he change his whip to his right hand, for this caused his mount to veer violently to his left, and in the process caused mayhem to some of the challenging horses. Curtain Call was the first to suffer, for Murtagh's mount cannoned into him, stopping him right in the middle of his stride for victory, and then going on to effectively put to sleep the flattering Tartan Bearer, who had just arrived on the scene full of running. While all of this was going on, Aidan O'Brien's other team runner, Frozen Fire, a good horse in his own right, was coming very wide on the track to make his challenge, and ably ridden by Seamus Heffernan, took advantage of all the shilly-shallying on the inside to go on for a very unconvincing victory, with Casual Conquest getting up to pip Murtagh on Allessandro Volta for second place, with Tartan Bearer fourth, and Curtain Call fifth.

In the inevitable enquiry, Murtagh's mount was disqualified from third place and demoted to fourth, with the luckless Curtain Call, who indeed looked to be the worst affected, holding on to his fifth place. Was justice done? Well, in the case of Curtain Call I honestly don't think so, for this horse must have lost at least five lengths, much more than the three or more he was beaten. All in all, I think that Johnny Murtagh will remember this race for a very long time, although there could be a few appeals in the offing in the near future!