Riders Damian Rock and Wayne Lordan were lucky to escape serious injury after a horrific incident which took place in the concluding stages of the Clonalvey Handicap at Fairyhouse yesterday.

As the leaders began to bunch approaching the furlong pole, Brief Journey, who was racing alongside the running rail towards the head of affairs under Damian Rock, clipped heels with Magical Bridge and crumpled, bringing down the chasing Royal Subject and Wayne Lordan.

Victory went to the Liam Browne-trained Impulsif in the hands of Timmy Houlihan but the partnership had to survive a lengthy stewards' inquiry.

In the Birch Hurdle, High Stakes, the horse Christy Roche partnered into second place at Tralee last year before announcing his retirement from the saddle, scored for Conor O'Dwyer.

"He'll head for a winners of one at Gowran next week and we'll take it from there," said the former champion rider who now trains the gelded son of Bluebird for JP McManus.

O'Dwyer was foiled in the dying stride aboard another McManus charge, French import Fier Gourmier, in the Rossmore Maiden Hurdle. Arthur Moore's well supported market leader was a little untidy over the last flight and went down by the minimum margin to Flatley, who got up under a determined drive from Tom Rudd.

Paul Scallan, despite putting up 5lb overweight aboard 10 to 1 shot Holy Orders, duly landed the spoils on Willie Mullins's charge in the Palmerstown EBF Nursery. "He's learning all the time and hopefully he'll improve from there. He was a bit sick early in the season but I'm looking forward to next year with him," said Mullins, who reported stable star Florida Pearl in fine fettle.

"He will gallop this week and then we'll school him. Hopefully he'll be ready to take part at Down Royal on November 6th," he said.