Punchestown Meeting, 22nd February 2012
The Stewards authorised the following substitution of rider at this meeting: M.J. Ferris replaced M. Darcy on Volkis O’Blue (FR) (see enquiry), trained by Mr. Andrew Slattery (fifth race).
034C Festival Party Pack From €19 Maiden Hurdle & The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Get Off The Stage, ridden by T. Kelly, and trained by Mr. Patrick G. Kelly.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
In his evidence T. Kelly stated that this was the mare’s first run over hurdles and his instructions were to get her jumping. He added that his mount ran green, jumped big and deliberately in the early stages, had a blow before the turn into the straight before staying on well in the latter stages. He also stated that the mare suffered some accidental interference before the turn in and that he then rode her out hands and heels in the straight.
In his evidence the trainer confirmed the instructions and added that the mare has a tendency to get excited. He also expressed his satisfaction with the performances of both horse and jockey.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer stating that Get Off The Stage was found to be post race normal and that samples had been taken for analysis.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
034D Punchestown.com For Festival Offers Mares Maiden Hurdle & C.D. Maxwell, rider of Baracka Box, trained by Mr. Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount weakened very quickly.
Mr. Roger Joseph McGrath, trainer of Thynetocatcher, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge scoped badly post race.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Kicking Kate, trained by Mr. Cornelius O’Keeffe, was found to be coughing post race.
034E Hen Party Heaven At The Festival Handicap Hurdle & The Stewards fined M.J. Darcy, rider, €200 in accordance with Rule 196 after he failed to present himself at scales to weigh out on time for his intended mount Volkis O’ Blue (FR) in this race.
P.T. Enright, rider of Big Jimmy, trained by Mr. John J. Walsh, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled and choked in this race.
C.D. Maxwell, rider of Eddie Zero, trained by Mr. Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount gurgled in running and was therefore pulled up.
Thurles Meeting, 23rd February 2012
035B Horse And Jockey Handicap Steeplechase & The Stewards requested a report from Mr. Oliver McKiernan, trainer of the winner Whatdoyousay (GB), regarding the apparent improvement in form of his charge compared with the horse’s previous run at Naas on the 11th February where he finished seventh and was beaten about 65 lengths by the winner Gates of Rome.
Mr. McKiernan reported that his charge has made a good return to racing following a very long layoff. He said that the horse ran well for a long way at Naas until tiring before the second last fence in a fast run race in testing conditions. He said he felt that today’s contest was of an inferior standard to the Naas race. He concluded by saying that today’s shorter trip combined with a more forceful ride and an exhibition of jumping were all contributing factors to the apparent improvement in form.
Having considered the report, the Stewards noted its content.
M.J. Ferris, rider of The Brook Thief, trained by Mr. Eoghan O’Grady, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled on today’s ground. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that The Brook Thief was found to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.
035D Prime Beef Handicap Hurdle & Mr. Desmond McDonogh, trainer of Gentle Paddy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge never travelled on today’s ground.
035E Cashel Maiden Hurdle & R. Walsh, rider of Mazuri Cowboy, trained by Mr. Eoin Doyle, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount travelled well until he made a mistake at the third last hurdle and weakened quickly. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Mazuri Cowboy was found to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.
Mr. P.W. Mullins, rider of Douneve (FR), trained by Mr. W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran too keen early on in this race.
T.J. Doyle, rider of Beeverstown, trained by Mr. J.H. Culloty, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount travelled well to the fourth last hurdle, but weakened quickly thereafter.
035F Littleton Handicap Hurdle & Mr. P.J. Rothwell, trainer of Tally Em Up, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge never travelled on today’s ground.
035G Munster I.N.H. Flat Race & The Stewards fined Mr. Michael T. Moran, trainer, €130 for lodging a passport in respect of Eamon The Farmer in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer’s written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
Dundalk Meeting, 24th February 2012
036A Download Our Mobile App Now Maiden & The Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Roe Deer, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed second, and Serious Breach (GB), ridden by G.F. Carroll, unplaced.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards cautioned D.P. McDonogh to ride with more care in future.
036B Ladbrokes.com Mobile App Handicap & I.J. Brennan, rider of Bubbly Bellini, trained by Mr. Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left in this race. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Bubbly Bellini was found to have a bust blood vessel post race.
J.P. Murtagh, rider of Suspect Device, trained by Mr. Paul W. Flynn, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount reared up leaving the stalls.
S.A. Gray, rider of Loveisthedrug, trained by Mr. Gerard Keane, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung badly in this race.
036C Better Odds Ladbrokes Fillies Maiden & The Stewards received a report from Mr. T. Smith, Turf Club Veterinary Officer, regarding the fact that Merkel, trained by Mr Edward Lynam and ridden by S Foley, had been presented to him after this race with a blood clot in the eye, which was most likely caused by some trauma.
Evidence was heard from J.P. Murtagh, rider of Elegant Sisi in this race, who stated that he accidentally struck Merkel as she challenged to his outside approximately one furlong out.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was accidental in nature and took no further action.
Mr Edward Lynam and S Foley also attended this enquiry.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final furlong involving Merkel, ridden by S. Foley, placed second, and Elegant Sisi, ridden by J.P. Murtagh, placed third, after it appeared the latter had to check.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placings. In addition the Stewards gave S. Foley the benefit of the doubt regarding the incident and took no further action.
036E Ladbrokes.com Where Real Fans Get Rewarded Handicap & J.P. Murtagh, rider of Shisha Threesixty, trained by Mr. G.M. Lyons, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran free in this race.
G.F. Carroll, rider of Naked Cowboy, trained by Mr. Anthony Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran free in the early stages of this race.
036G Follow Ladbrokes On Twitter Handicap & W.J. Lee, rider of Dimitar (USA), trained by Mr. Edward Lynam, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran free in the early stages and also hung outwards. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Dimitar (USA) was found to be clinically normal post race.
Fairyhouse Meeting, 25th February 2012
037A Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle & D.N. Russell, rider of Midnight Oil (GB), trained by Mr. W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped slowly throughout. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Midnight Oil (GB) was found to be clinically normal post race.
037B I.T.B.A. Fillies Scheme Novice Hurdle & P.T. Enright, rider of Sligo Publican, trained by Mr. John J. Walsh, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left throughout. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Sligo Publican was found to be post race normal.
037C New ATR Horse Tracker Handicap Hurdle & The Stewards interviewed A.D. Leigh, rider of Four Chimneys, placed second, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that A.D. Leigh was in breach of Regulation 10 in that he had used his whip without giving his mount time to respond. Having taken his recent record in this regard into account, the Stewards severely cautioned him.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference after the final hurdle involving the winner Hans Cresent (FR), ridden by A.P. Heskin, and Four Chimneys, ridden by A.D. Leigh, placed second.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that, while there was some interference, they were not satisfied that the winner had improved his finishing position as a result of this interference and so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings. Furthermore, the Stewards advised A.P. Heskin to ride with more care in future.
B. Hayes, rider of Western Leader, trained by Mr. John Joseph Hanlon, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran flat throughout. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Western Leader was found to be clinically normal post race. Samples were taken for analysis.
037D At The Races Bobbyjo Steeplechase & The Stewards granted permission for fence number three (third last fence) to be omitted from this race and from the remaining steeplechases on today’s programme in the interest of safety due to ground conditions.
Naas Meeting, 26th February 2012
038B Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet 1800 721 821 Handicap Hurdle & The Stewards enquired into an incident approaching the final hurdle involving Rocky Wednesday, ridden by D.N. Russell, placed second, Sportsmaster, ridden by M.P. Walsh, placed third, Rory Anna, ridden by P.T. Enright, placed fourth, Red Calima, ridden by M.N. Doran, placed fifth, and Baby Whizz, ridden by A.P. Crowe, unplaced.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that M.P. Walsh had ridden carelessly. Having taken his excellent previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards therefore suspended him for one race day (11th March). The Stewards also reminded M.P. Walsh concerning the accuracy of his evidence.
038D paddypower.com Novice Hurdle & The Stewards interviewed Mr. C. Roche trainer of Touch Back, regarding the late arrival of his charge into the parade ring which led to the start of this race being delayed.
Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned, who stated that he had collected the saddle very early and tacked up his charge at his routine time of twenty minutes before a race. During this process the surcingle broke and he got a replacement which proved to be too small so a third surcingle had to be found.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered but reminded Mr. Roche of his responsibility to have his charge in the parade ring in a reasonable time before the signal to mount is given.
038E paddypower.com Steeplechase & The Stewards interviewed D.N. Russell rider of Zaarito, placed second, concerning his use of the whip between the final fence and the winning post.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, which included an admission that he was not aware of the area being hit in riding, but an acceptance of possible breach of Rule on viewing the recording of the race.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that D.N. Russell was in breach of R10 (2)(e) in that he hit his mount in a place other than down the shoulder or on the hind quarters. The Stewards therefore reminded him of his responsibility in this regard.