Punchestown 2nd May 2026

The Stewards authorised the following substitutions of riders at this meeting:

C. Stone-Walsh, rider of Lisnamult Lad, trained by Ian Patrick Donoghue, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst. This was subsequently confirmed by the IHRB Veterinary Officer.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Chemical Energy, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel. This was confirmed by the IHRB Veterinary Officer.

S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Gentleman De Reve (FR), trained by Peter Maher, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel. This was confirmed by the IHRB Veterinary Officer.

The Raceday Stewards received a report from Mr. L. Wyer, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that Mr J. Ahern, rider of Call The Tune, weighed in at 1.6 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that his pad got wet when the horse was being washed down and he possibly weighed in with a breast girth. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J. Ahern was in breach of Rule 231 and having taken his clean record into consideration suspended him for one race day.

Mr R. Sugrue, rider of What Path (FR), trained by Ian O'Connor, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount slipped up independently on the home bend. Having reviewed the incident the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

The Raceday Stewards fined P.A.Fahy, trainer €65 for failing to fit Brucejack with the declared sheepskin cheekpieces prior to entry to the parade ring.

H. Cobden, rider of Fortunate Man, trained by Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill (in GB), reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that he used his whip in the forehand down the shoulder in the closing stages for corrective purposes.

Anna McGuinness, rider of Brideswell Lad, trained by Seamus Neville, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount made a respiratory noise in-running.

K.M. Donoghue, rider of Born Braver, trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Jasmin De Grugy (FR), trained by Anthony Honeyball (in GB), at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Anna McGuinness, rider of High Class Hero (GB), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount never travelled.

D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Beckett Rock, trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the second and pulled up.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Beckett Rock, trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

P. Townend, rider of Apolon De Charnie (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that he was never happy with his mount in-running.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Apolon De Charnie (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident approximately five furlongs from the finish involving Storm Heart (FR), ridden by J.H. Williamson, Hello Neighbour, ridden by K.M. Donoghue, Laurets D'estruval (FR), ridden by B. Hayes, Champagne Kid, ridden by E. Finegan, and Mojoe, ridden by S.D. Torrens where it appeared horses got tight on the inner. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. J.H. Williamson stated that he held his line three off the rail and didn't contribute to the incident. K.M. Donoghue stated that he was down the inside and had plenty of room when he received pressure from the outside. B. Hayes stated that he took off heels due to congestion ahead of him. E. Finegan stated that he received pressure from his outside and checked back. S.D. Torrens stated that his run was petering out when it got congested due to general bunching. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards did not apportion blame to any rider and took no further action.

At the request of the Raceday Stewards, M.P. Walsh, rider of Fierce Handay, trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was badly hampered by a faller and subsequently pulled up.

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

Mr. Justice Tony Hunt (Chairman), Mr. A. Byrne, Mr. J. Byrne, Mr. R. Ryan, Mr. A. Ring.

For this race meeting, the Raceday Stewards suspended the ‘Starting Procedures for Tape Starts’, and the IHRB suspended Rule 208 (i) and Rule 209 (i).

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