CONFUSION reigned for the large turnout at Down Royal last evening when the opening contest was delayed for 61 minutes as the ground staff carried out alterations to the course after a premeeting watering job backfired.

Clerk of the course Bill Fleming, on arrival at the track earlier in the day, discovered soft patches of ground on the landing side of the third last flight, but the stewards and officials suggested that various alterations should be made only shortly before the scheduled time of the opener.

The large crowd were only informed some 15 minutes before the official off time that racing would be delayed for half an hour in order to complete the necessary changes, but time crept by causing the 61 minute delay.

Victor Bowens, who went on to saddle Lord Esker to land the Belfast Vinters Maiden Hurdle in the hands of his son, Colin, said: "I was quite happy with the original layout. It was a bit patchy but they moved the track on to hard ground."

Earlier, the father and son combination of Tommy and Paul Carberry were successful in the delayed Gain Horsefeeds Maiden Hurdle with Kilcar, who came home hard held to win by 12 lengths.

Paul Carberry, riding his 20th winner in Ireland, to add to his 59 successes across the water, said of the ground: "There was a few firm patches near the finish on the new ground but it was nothing to worry about.

Course manager, Michael Todd, said of the situation: "We have watered the track all this week and I think they are making a mountain out of a molehill. Any trainer I have spoken to has told me they should have left the track the way it was."