John Butler had mixed feelings after partnering his third winner of the season aboard Gaultier Gale in the Tipperary Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday. The Ajraas gelding, rated 92 on the flat but rejected here on his hurdling debut by Charlie Swan, maintained a clear lead in the straight to beat Tonita's Choice by 11 lengths.

However, Butler was adjudged to have used his whip unnecessarily from before the last and was suspended for six days.

Cailin Supreme, one of that rare breed of triple bumper winners, came good on her fourth attempt over hurdles this season in the Winter EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle. Tommy Treacy gave the six-year-old a confident ride, leading after the last to beat Our-Dante by three lengths.

Conor O'Dwyer consolidated his position in the chasing group behind Charlie Swan in the jockeys' championship when partnering his 33rd winner of the season aboard Raheen River in the EBF Tattersalls (Ireland) Mares Beginners Chase.

However, the main talking point here was the running of fifth-placed Lockbeg Lass, with the stewards considering she had not run on her merits. Trainer Eugene O'Sullivan was fined £400, while they meted out suspensions to his rider-brother William and the horse of 28 and 30 days respectively.