Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles and 37 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

Owing to low-lying sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle 4 to be omitted from this race.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Mordor (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Mordor (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have a wound to his right hind coronet band but was otherwise post race normal.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Saint Le Fort (FR), ridden by B. Hayes, and trained by Philip Fenton. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. B. Hayes, stated that his instructions were to try his best and come home strongly. He put his mount into the race as they climbed the hill, he was trying to go forward but was flat out at that stage. He stated that this is a very green horse having its first ever run. He stated that he made a mistake at the first and didn't jump well early. He got further back than planned as his mount was slow at his hurdles due to greenness. As they turn in they stack up and it turns into a sprint home where his horse goes past tired horses up the straight. He rides aggressively in the straight, steadies him at the last where he makes another mistake. Philip Fenton, confirmed the instructions given to the rider. Ideally he wanted him to sit mid division but accepted that he couldn't due to several errors. He stated that this is a horse that never ran in a schooling hurdle as his hurdling was good at home. He felt the horse made many mistakes which led to him getting too far back. He stated that he was satisfied with the ride given the mistakes and the novicey nature of the horse. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Saint Le Fort (FR) was examined and found to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the explanations offered but advised B. Hayes of his responsibilities under Rule 213 to report anything which might have affected the running of his horse.

Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles and 37 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

Owing to low-lying sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle 4 to be omitted from this race

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr T. Power Roche, rider of Future Proof, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the whip regulations and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(h)(above shoulder) and (i)(chance to respond) and having taken his record into account suspended him for four race days.

Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles 4 furlongs and 37 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

Owing to low-lying sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle 4 to be omitted from this race.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference after the last hurdle involving Ashdale Flyer, ridden by C.D Smithers, placed second, and Kiltealy Park, ridden by S.W. Flanagan, placed third, where it appeared these horses came close together. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. S.W. Flanagan stated that he approached the hurdle behind Mr. Kennedy, there was plenty of room on the inner, he was always going forward when he felt a bump and pressure from his inner and minimal contact. C.D. Smithers stated that his mount was hanging quite badly, he gave a flick with his left, corrected, his mount drifted again, he corrected with his reins. He felt the contact was minimal and that one of the bumps was after the line. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that while Ashdale Flyer had caused interference to Kiltealy Park he did not improve his finishing position as a result of this interference so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings. They were, however, of the opinion that C.D. Smithers, was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended him for one race day.

R.A. Doyle, rider of Annalecka, trained by Mark Fahey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung severely left from the back of the second last.

C.D Smithers, rider of Ashdale Flyer, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly left throughout.

T. Ryan, rider of Slim Marvel (FR), trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a mistake at the last.

Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles 4 furlong and 33 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

Owing to low-lying sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle 4 to be omitted from this race.

Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles 6 furlongs and 205 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

Owing to low-lying sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle 4 to be omitted from this race.

Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles 6 furlongs and 205 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

Owing to low-lying sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle 4 to be omited from this race.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Lough Nigara, ridden by R.A. Doyle, and The Flying Donkey, ridden by P.T. Enright where it appeared horses got tight for room on the outer. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. P.T. Enright stated that he came wide to produce his run in the straight. His horse is weakening and going backwards when he lays onto Mr. Doyle's horse but there is very little contact. R.A. Doyle states that he got through the first spur no problem but he has to come off his racing line to get back in but felt he didn't bully his way in. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that any interference which occurred was accidental and they took no further action.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident at the bend passing the stands involving Yabo, ridden by T.P. Harney, Greenhill Damsel, ridden by J.J. Slevin, Imbolc, ridden by S.W. Flanagan, Thegoaheadman, ridden by K. Callaghan, and Perfect Arch, ridden by Anna McGuinness where it appeared horses got tight for room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. T.P. Harney stated that his mare was a bit free and head strong, he felt he kept a safe line, he didn't receive pressure from his outside but had to wrestle his mare around the bend. J.J. Slevin stated that he was aware of Mr. Flanagan and that the bend was tight. S.W. Flanagan stated that he followed the running rail but didn't feel or hear anything. K. Callaghan stated that he was on the outside, he kept the same line around the bend but didn't see or hear anything from behind. Anna McGuinness stated that there was a little bit of bunching but no contact. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that any interference which occurred was accidental and they took no further action.

Prior to the meeting, the Raceday Stewards approved a request from Clerk of the Course, Mr. B. Sheridan, to amend the distance of this race to 2 miles and 37 yards, due to necessary rail realignment.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Miss A.B. O'Connor, rider of Florance, concerning her use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted she was in breach of the whip regulation and apologised for her actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(g) in that she used the whip with excessive frequency and having taken her record into account suspended her for 1 race day.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Merry Shuil trained by Leonard Paul Flynn was found to be lame on her right front post race.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr M.J. Kenneally, rider of The Lord Maid, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount was finding for him but he accepted he was in breach of the whip regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3.(g) in that he used his whip with excessive frequency and having taken his record into account suspended him for 5 race days.

The following Raceday Stewards acted on behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at this race meeting:

Mr. N. McGrath (Chairman)
Ms. M. Cosgrave
Mr. J. Gaisford-St. Lawrence
Mr. J.M. McGrath
Mr. L. Walsh

Disclaimer: Please note this information is provisional and is subject to amendment until published in the Irish Racing Calendar.