Favourite Mylestown Upper controversially disqualified as Meade lands a double

Fortune favoured Noel Meade as he secured a double at the track’s first meeting of the year, but even he could not explain why Hymie Weiss was awarded division one of the 2m3½f maiden hurdle in the stewards' room.

The stewards were of the opinion that Jamie Codd, riding the short-priced favourite Mylestown Upper, caused sufficient interference to Hymie Weiss to award Meade’s horse the race.

The decision did not get unanimous support and even Meade did not know why his horse was promoted to first spot.

He said: “A horse of mine nearly got knocked over in a beginners’ chase here last summer and we still didn’t get the race but this time I didn’t think much happened but we got it. Swings and roundabouts I suppose.”

Asked when the interference occurred, Meade said: “Sean [Flanagan, who rode Hymie Weiss] said it happened after the last. The winner came over across him.”

He added: “It didn’t really matter if he’d won or not because he’s a horse we’d like to sell and it would nearly be easier to sell him if he was a maiden. But he’s a horse we always thought plenty of.

"Jonathan Moore always said he was a lovely horse. Maybe the better ground is all he wanted. After that you’d have to say it was the ground.”

Meade secured his double with Lignou in the 2m3½f rated novice hurdle. Ridden by Eoin Walsh, Lignou made a lot of the running and was all out to hold off the late rattle of Hewick in second.

Meade said: “We had him in at Punchestown but came here instead as it looked an easier option. He did it well and got a good ride from Eoin.”

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