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Punchestown 22nd February 2023

The Stewards fined the following trainer in respect of their non-runner:-

Gerard O'Leary, trainer of True Artist (Off feed) - €200

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

J.J. Slevin replaced B.J. Cooper on Friends N Commerce, trained by Patrick G. Kelly (Race 5)(Stood down)
P.T. Enright replaced B.J. Cooper on Bint Freya, trained by Thomas Cooper (Race 7)(Stood down)

038A Racing TV M'dn H'dle

Sam Ewing, rider of I Am Fortunata, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran out.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Meritorious (GB), ridden by Thomas Reilly and trained by John C. McConnell. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. Thomas Reilly stated that he was familiar with this horse from his homework and was aware that he was not the greatest of jumpers. He said that he was instructed to line up in mid division, fill his mount with confidence and get him jumping. He explained that his mount missed the early hurdles which left him out of his comfort zone and was ridden from there to get him to finish as well as possible. He added that his mount was keen, jumped left, was slow at a few hurdles and was not rushed as the ground was dead and he wanted him to finish out his race. John C. McConnell confirmed the riding instructions and described the horse as being a poor jumper at home. On a review of the video, he stated that his charge was sketchy in his jumping early on but he was happy with the way he ran on to finish third. In his opinion he felt that the rider could have done more in the latter stages of this race. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer who stated that Meritorious (GB) was post race normal. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the trainers explanation. They were, however, of the opinion that Thomas Reilly was in breach of Rule 212A(ii) by riding his horse in such a way that his horse could not be seen to have been the subject of a genuine attempt to obtain from his horse timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible placing. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended Thomas Reilly for ten racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. Furthermore, under Rule 212A (v) and 212C (d), the Raceday Stewards suspended Meritorious (GB) for forty two days as a consequence of the riders actions.

The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer examined Meritorious (GB), trained by John C. McConnell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.

038D Racing TV (Mares) M'dn H'dle

The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer examined Crumb Of Comfort, trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

038E Last Chance 10% Off Festival H'cap H'dle

The Raceday Stewards requested a report from E. Sheehy, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Dr Val, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Punchestown on the 16th January where Dr Val was pulled up. E. Sheehy stated that his charge was examined after that run and scoped clean but had some mud in his lungs. He also stated that he freshened his charge up since that run and in his opinion, this helped bring about todays improvement in form. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.

The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer examined Appian Way (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on its left hind post race.

Sam Ewing, rider of Appian Way (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount went wrong behind and was pulled up.

Under the provisions of Rule 90, the Raceday Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Shantou Lucky, trained by Gavin Cromwell, as the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

038F1 Hospitality At Festival 2023 H'cap H'dle

The Raceday Stewards interviewed A. McCurtin, rider of Rochestown, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence A. McCurtin accepted that he had breached the whip guidelines having misjudged his count and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that A. McCurtin was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his clean previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended him for three racedays.

P.T. Enright, rider of The Boys In Blue (GB), trained by Oliver McKiernan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stopped quickly during this race.

L. Quinlan, rider of Lucky Ranger, trained by Ms. M. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount pulled up lame.

Owing to the low trajectory of the sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle numbers three and four to be omitted from this race.

Ms. M. Flynn, trainer of Lucky Ranger, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her charge was subsequently noted to be sound at a later time.

038F2 Hospitality At Festival 2023 H'cap H'dle

The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Mrs Macker trained by Ms. M. Flynn was noted to have blood at the nostrils post race.

Derek McGrath, rider of Mrs Macker, trained by Ms. M. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was pulled up having burst a blood vessel.

P.J. O'Hanlon, rider of Away To Milan, trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly and was pulled up.

The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Weston Road trained by Denis W. Cullen was noted to have blood at the nostrils post race.

D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Weston Road, trained by Denis W. Cullen, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was pulled up having burst a blood vessel.

The I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer examined Herculaneum, trained by Noel C. Kelly, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.

Ms. M. Flynn, trainer of One More Lass, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her charge possibly needs better ground and the application of a tongue strap.

038G See You At Festival 2023 INH Flat Race

Mr F. Maguire, rider of Arc Eyes, trained by Conor O'Dwyer, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his saddle slipped during this race.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The following Raceday Stewards acted on behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at this race meeting:
Mr. N. McGrath (Chairman),
Mr. J. Weld,
Mr. N. McCaffrey,
Mrs. T.K. Cooper,
Mr. C.J. Sweeney.



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


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