Naas 8th March 2026

At the request of the Raceday Stewards, K.M. Donoghue, rider of The Rebel Fox, trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was quite keen on the way to the start and he was instructed to drop in and get him to settle. He added his horse fell asleep a bit in the middle stages of the race before staying on well past tiring horses. .

M. Doyle, rider of Salvador Peps, trained by Gordon Michael Doyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a respiratory noise in the back straight.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Davy Crockett, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Sam Ewing, rider of Blake (GB), trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got more than one bump after the last to the line.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference after the last involving Blake (GB), ridden by Sam Ewing, placed second, and Le Labo, ridden by Mr J.L. Gleeson, placed first, where it appeared they got close together. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Sam Ewing said he received two bumps after the last which in his opinion cost him a better place. Mr. J.L. Gleeson said he received interference at the last but felt he was the best horse and any interference had no bearing on the result. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action. Mr. M.C. Hickey recused himself from this enquiry.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Thankyouforthedays, trained by J.P.Dempsey, placed first, compared with his form in his three previous runs. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned who said his was happy with his first and third runs but the second run was disappointing. He added in his opinion the drop in grade from maiden hurdles to a low grade handicap is what has brought about the apparent improvement in form. Evidence was also heard from Mr. M. Weedon, I.H.R.B. Handicapper who outlined the horse's profile and said today's run is a significant improvement on his three starts in maiden hurdles. Having considered the matter the Raceday Stewards noted the explanation of the trainer.

Anna McGuinness, rider of High Class Hero (GB), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that she got galloped into on the way to the start.

S. Cleary-Farrell, rider of Chosen Witness, trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount cocked his jaw and bolted on the way to the start.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the way to the start involving High Class Hero (GB), ridden by Anna McGuinness, and Chosen Witness, ridden by S. Cleary-Farrell following a report from Anna McGuinness that she got galloped into on the way to the start. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Anna McGuinness said she was pulling up to join the other horses when without warning Chosen Witness came out of nowhere and hit her mount side on causing her to get unseated. S. Cleary-Farrell said his horse put his head on the floor and galloped and he was out of control when he had nowhere to go and galloped into High Class Hero. Having considered all the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed C. Stone-Walsh, rider of The Lovely Man, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the whip Regulation and apologised for his whip use. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied the rider was in breach of R10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record they suspended him for two racedays.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Chosen Witness trained by W.P. Mullins was found to have blood at both nostrils post race.

Kevin Healy, rider of Forever And A Day, trained by Peter Maher, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left in the closing stages.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Caoimhe, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The following Raceday Stewards acted on behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at this race meeting: Mr. Martin P. O'Donnell (Chairman), Mr. M.C. Hickey, Mr. Pierce G. Molony, Mr. Philip Caffrey, Mr. H.T. Hynes.

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