Maurice Byrne, the 7lb claiming rider who suffered a crashing fall at the first flight from 33 to 1 shot La Tache in the 3-Y-O hurdle at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, is still in intensive care, according to Turf Club medical officer Walter Halley.
Byrne (18) is attached to the Joe Canty yard on the Curragh, having previously had a stint with Yorkshire trainer Mel Britain. He was having only his third ride over hurdles.
"Maurice has a serious head injury but is in a stable condition in Blanchardstown Hospital. I've spoken to his family and that is all I can say at this stage," said Halley at Gowran Park yesterday. Meanwhile, also at the Kilkenny venue, Curragh handler Michael Grassick plundered another valuable prize when Rominten made all in the hands of Eddie Ahern to land the featured Denny Cordell Lavarack Memorial Fillies Race. Sent off at 12 to 1, the daughter of Danzig bred by her German owner Hildegard Focke, came home 21/2 lengths clear of Seasonal Style, with odds-on market leader Castle Quest a disappointing third.
"I told Eddie to be in the first two throughout and she seems to have enjoyed it out in front. She'll head for the listed Diamond Race 10f at the Curragh on October 2nd," said Grassick.
Barry Geraghty celebrated his 20th birthday in winning style when scoring on David Kiely's The Wiley Kalmuck in the three-mile handicap hurdle. But he had no luck later on 11 to 10 chance Boley Lad which dropped away tamely after the third last in the maiden hurdle. Victory here went to 25 to 1 outsider Native Glen and Pat Malone. Geraghty is now on the 18-winner mark for the current campaign, one clear of champion Ruby Walsh in the title race.
Champion rider John Murtagh was banned for one raceday (September 25th) after he was forced to forfeit the booked ride on Remuria in the feature when he couldn't do the allotted weight of 8 st 8 lb. Niall McCullagh deputised to finish fourth, but Murtagh had better luck earlier when he teamed up with the John Oxx-trained Mitsubishi Trium to break her duck in the opening Ballylinch Stud EBF Fillies Maiden.
