Heffernan hit with four-day ban after return from 36-day absence

SEAMIE HEFFERNAN marked his return to action in great style with Listed victory for Laburnum (4/5 favourite) spearheading a double for the veteran jockey at Gowran Park.

A mixture of quarantine restrictions and a 22-day whip ban picked up in France last month ruled Heffernan out of action for 36 days but the Kildare jockey made up for lost time on his first day back on track yesterday.

Laburnum produced a career-best when fourth in last month’s Irish Oaks and Aidan O’Brien’s filly followed up

to Ennistymon victory The catch daughter winner in the front-running (3/1) Hurry for of before Galileo Heffernan Harriet powering stablemate was Stakes. (right), a welcome to who and has quipped bills to that pay” he after was his “very long hungry spell on the sidelines.

The 48-year-old doubled up when taking a handicap on Tony Martin’s Jungle Jungle (16/1) but there was a sting in the tail when he was hit with a four-day ban by the stewards for interference much to his annoyance.

“Sometimes you have to push it to the line, but not over. I believe I didn’t go over the line, and I believe if I stayed following (the leaders) sitting on the bridle I should have been brought in for not trying. It’s not win at all costs but it’s win if you can. I never win at all costs, that’s not my style,” Heffernan said.

It was also a day to remember for trainer Johnny Murtagh as he continued his scintillating run of form to notch a 437/1 treble with exciting filly Laggata (9/4 favourite) losing her maiden tag at the fourth attempt while Lord Rapscallion (14/1) and Springbank (8/1) both landed the odds in handicap company. Meanwhile, Jessica Harrington’s

Ancient Spirit will take all the beating in the Group Three Clipper Logistics

Desmond Stakes (3.0) at Leopardstown today under Shane Foley.

There was no disgrace in his defeat to Patrick Sarsfield at the Foxrock track last month having landed successive Listed events prior to that and the five-year-old may control the pace from the front and exert his dominance.

Irish Derby third Dawn Patrol heads the market in the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes (3.30) but may be worth taking on at prohibitive odds and Joseph O’Brien’s comprehensive Galway maiden winner Pista may prove the value selection under Shane Crosse.