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

Mr C.P. Millar rode Single Edition (reserve) trained by Nigel Thomas Slevin (Race 7)
A.P. Kelly rode Innocent Walker (reserve) trained by Jarlath P.Fahey (Race 7).
C.J. Orr replaced Sam Ewing on Gallyhill, trained by Gordon Elliott (Race 4)(Stood down)
C.J. Orr replaced Sam Ewing on Soldier At War (GER), trained by Gordon Elliott (Race 5)(Stood down)

103A Ballygowan Opportunity M'dn H'dle

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Cozone (GB), trained by Matthew J. Smith, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race. Samples were taken for analysis.

The Stewards requested a report from John Patrick Ryan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Gaelic Arc, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Limerick on the 27th March when beaten fifty lengths by the winner The Road To Fame. John Patrick Ryan reported that his charge raced very keen at Limerick when dropped in whereas today the animal was ridden more forward and settled well which in his opinion contributed to the improved performance. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Cozone (GB), ridden by J.G. Gilligan, and trained by Matthew J. Smith. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. J.G. Gilligan, stated that he had schooled this animal recently and found him to be brave at his hurdles. Today he was instructed to drop his mount in as it was his first run over hurdles, get him jumping and to finish as best as possible. In running he described his mount as jumping sketchy early in the race which left him further back in the field of runners in a race run at an even gallop. He added that his mount took a big blow in running and ran on passed tired horses to attain his best possible placing. Under questioning on his effort in the straight, he stated that he was driving hands and heels and doing his best. Matthew J. Smith confirmed the horses style of schooling and the riding instructions as given today. He expressed a concern with his charge having taken a big blow in running today as he had recently run in a flat race at Navan. In his opinion, his charge had jumped indifferently early in the race and overall his observation from the video suggested that his rider was not as strong in his riding as other riders around him from the two furlong marker. He reported to the Stewards that his charge had scoped with Grade 3 mucus post race. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Cozone (GB) was coughing post race. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the trainers explanation. In relation to the rider, the Stewards were satisfied that J.G. Gilligan was in breach of Rule 212(A)(2) by riding his mount in such a way as the horse cannot be seen to have been the subject of a genuine attempt to obtain from the horse timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve his best possible placing. Having taken his clean previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended J.G. Gilligan for ten racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. Furthermore, the Stewards informed Matthew J. Smith that his charge Cozone (GB) was suspended for forty two days as a consequence of the riders actions.

103B Club Lemon H'cap H'dle

The Stewards requested a report from Patrick Martin, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Drumbaragh, placed first, as compared with its recent form at Limerick and Thurles. Patrick Martin reported that today was the animals third run in his care having been transferred from another trainer. In his opinion he had run the filly at both Limerick and Thurles on soft ground as she had shown previous form on similar ground when second in an INHS Flat Race. At Limerick she ran well to the straight until levelling and previously at Thurles she failed to handle the gluey ground. He added that she works indifferently and it was decided to run her today on the drier ground conditions and furthermore to change the riding tactics to allowing her to settle well in a more prominent position. In running she got a soft lead during the race and went clear before staying on well in the closing stages. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

At the request of the Stewards, C.J. Orr, rider of True Destiny (GB), trained by J.J.Lambe, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled from flagfall and may have found the ground to be too lively.

J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Just Jacob trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount gurgled after the third last hurdle.

C.P. McNamara, rider of Boola Belle trained by Seamus Spillane, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lost her action turning into the straight and was pulled up.

103D Cidona Beginners S'chase

At the request of the Stewards, D.J. McInerney, rider of Turnpike Trip (GB), trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was gassy early in the race, was flat out turning into the straight, took a blow after the second last fence, flattened out from that point and stayed on one paced to the finish.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Turnpike Trip (GB), trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame in front post race.

At the request of the Stewards, C. Byrnes, trainer of Turnpike Trip (GB), reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge ran free early in the race, took a serious blow after the turn in and tired in the latter stages of this race. He advised that his charge was lame in the stable yard post race.

D. Meyler, rider of Rhythm Divine trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Rhythm Divine, trained by John Patrick Ryan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have blood at the nostrils post race.

103E Club Mixers H'cap S'chase

The Stewards requested a report from P.G. Fahey, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Diggin Deep, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Leopardstown on the 7th of March when pulled up. P.G. Fahey reported that his charge was hampered the last day but despite that, he felt that the drier underfoot conditions today brought about the improved performance. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

Cian Cullinan, rider of Diggin Deep, trained by P.G. Fahey, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his saddle slipped on the first circuit but then corrected itself.

103F C&C White M'dn Hunters S'chase

The Stewards interviewed Mr J.J. Codd, rider of Earl Of Desmond (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Mr J.J. Codd admitted that he had marginally exceeded the guidelines on the use of the whip and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr J.J. Codd was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Mr J.J. Codd for two racedays.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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

Mr. Laurence McFerran (Chairman),

Mr. Thomas Breen,

Mr. Finbar Cahill,

Mr. P. Deegan.

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