Ballybow booked his Albert Bartlett ticket with victory in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel.

The six-year-old is out of a close relation of Hurricane Fly and after two second-placed point-to-point runs made his bumper debut at the beginning of the season.

He won that Sligo event but encountered some bad luck when making his hurdling bow next time at Fairyhouse, when he was badly hampered and lost a shoe before eventually finishing lame behind Ballygunner Castle.

He looked to have bounced back from that experience when second at Down Royal on his next outing, and at Naas last month he got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles when strolling to a nine-length victory.

Ballybow was the 5/6 favourite to add a Grade 3 title to his CV at Clonmel, where he was ridden by Sam Ewing in a small field of three that included Ballygunner Castle.

Ballybow made the running and while Ballygunner Castle, trained by Willie Mullins, did rally in the closing stages but could not get by the winner and went down by half a length on the line.

Paddy Power cut Ballybow from 20/1 to 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a result.

“To be honest if I was Sam, I’d have followed Ballygunner Castle instead of him following us, and pushed him along.

“They went no gallop. They quickened over the last two, but the one thing I do like about our horse, from the second-last to the line – even after the last – he dropped his head and showed a good attitude.

“We’ll go for the Albert Bartlett now. I think the race could suit him, and he could have an each-way chance in a race like that, with a lead, coming at a few horses.”

McNamara non-trier ban

In a later race, a two-mile novice handicap chase, the stewards handed out severe penalties to father and son Eric and Conor McNamara over the running and riding of Mount Ferns, who finished sixth hind Luminous Light.

The trainer was not present and evidence was heard from the rider and David O'Riordan, authorised representative, who said the instructions were to jump off mid-division and to come with a late run. He added he was satisfied with the ride as the horse was hanging badly right.

Conor McNamara confirmed the instructions given and said he was generally happy with the way the race went however his mount started hanging badly going down the hill and turning into the straight. He elaborated that the horse was extremely difficult to ride at this point and he could not even ride the horse out to the line. He concluded by saying he had forgotten to make a report at scales that the horse was hanging.

The stewards also received a report from the IHRB veterinary officer who stated that the animal was post-race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the stewards were satisfied that both rider and trainer were in breach of Rule 212A(i) by deliberately or recklessly causing or permitting a horse to run other than on its merits.

As a consequence they suspended the rider for 40 racedays, ordered that he forfeit his riding fee and fined the trainer €6,000 in accordance with the guidelines and having taken their clean records into account. Furthermore they suspended Mount Ferns from running for 90 days.