Frustration for 'Grumpy Men' following Killarney demotion

https://www.irishracing.com/news/Frustration-for-Grumpy-Men-following-Killarney-demotion/259844There was an amended result to Killarney’s Torc Waterfall Handicap Chase today, as the Eleven Grumpy Men Syndicate’s locally-trained Prince Of Air was frustratingly demoted to second place behind the promoted winner Zurich (15/2).

Prince Of Air, under jockey Shane O’Callaghan, had made all the running and passed the line a head in front of Zurich, and while the Mayor of Gneeveguilla and other syndicate members cheered home their popular ‘winner’, a stewards’ enquiry was called.

Strongly pressed late on the run-in by Zurich, Prince Of Air had drifted right in those closing strides causing interference to Zurich, who was awarded the race for his owners Pimlico Racing Ireland and trainer Henry De Bromhead.

Successful jockey Mike O’Connor explained “Zurich definitely deserved his day, although I wouldn’t like to win a race in the stewards’ room but we were lucky that we got it.

“I did feel there was interference as the horse in front of me idled, drifted out right and caused a little bit of interference as I had to check. I felt it cost me the race and the stewards made that decision.

“I’d see no problem with stepping him back up to 2m4f and he is a grand horse who jumped really well today.”