DESSIE HUGHES saddled three winners at an icy cold Fairyhouse yesterday, two of them, Guest Performance and Misty Moments, ridden by his son, Richard. This was the Curragh trainer's second treble over the course and he also had five winners at Roscommon some years ago.
Richard Hughes, who enjoyed such a good season in England with 62 winners - not including 14 abroad - had a comfortable passage in each instance. Guest Performance, whom he rode to win a flat handicap at Clonmel on his previous appearance, had no problems in beating Hill Society in the opener.
He looks a smart hurdler in the making and will reappear here on November 30th providing he has not been raised too much in the weights. Otherwise he will run in the Hutton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday week,
According to his trainer, the Curragh Maiden Hurdle winner, Misty Moments, is likely to make into a nice chaser. Hemisphere, who sandwiched the Hughes treble by winning the Donoughmore Handicap Chase, was ridden by Gareth Cotter who is 20 years old tomorrow. Altogether he has ridden 14 winners.
Overcoming Three Rivers on rising to the last flight, Greenhue ran on well to win the Ward Maiden Hurdle by two and a half lengths. The Tom Rudd partnered winner is trained by Michael O'Brien, who believes his improved chaser, Annbatic, would have finished closer than fourth to Challenger du Luc in last Saturday's Murphy's Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham had he been ridden with the pace.
Anabatic is entered for the valuable Tripleprint Chase over the same course on December 14th, but running plans depend on the weather and good underfoot conditions.
Arthur Moore and Frank Woods combined to win the Warrenstown Handicap Hurdle with Major Jamie, who made virtually all the running. Moore will decide soon whether Klairon Davis will run in the Tingle Creek at Sandown one December 7th or at Punchestown. The ground will decide the issue.
Tommy Treacy and Michael Murphy were removed to Navan Hospital with lacerations to the in steps of their right feet after their respective mounts, West On Bridge St and Johnny Handsome, collided with the plastic rails five, furlongs out. West On Bridge St was the first to break the rail, which struck Murphy who was riding in his wake. Rider Liam Cusack suffered mild concussion when falling with Moussahim in the novice chase and has been stood down for 48 hours.
The Ted Walsh trained Pupillon, running for the first time over fences, was ridden by Charlie Swan to win the Mulhuddart Novice Chase, in which The Latvian Lark fell in the lead at the second last.
. Champion jockey Tony McCoy will watch a video of his "crime" at Newton Abbot on Tuesday before deciding whether to appeal against a three day ban imposed for whip abuse.
McCoy, currently lending the race for this season's title, was suspended for three days (November 28th to 30th) by the Newton Abbot stewards for using his stick with unreasonable force aboard James The First, short head runner up to Well Timed in the Faucets A and J Gummers Handicap Chase.
The suspension means McCoy will be sidelined for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday week, in which he was due to ride General Crack or Belmont King for Paul Nicholls.
. Jockey Jimmy Frost was taken to hospital with suspected chest injuries after a fall at Hereford yesterday afternoon.
