The Referrals Committee, Mr Justice Tony Hunt (in the chair), Sean Barry and Laurence McFerran met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co Kildare on Monday, 4th January 2016 to consider whether or not Francis Flood (Trainer) was in breach of any Rules, arising out of his failure to report that Fighting Days had scoped badly post race when examined by the racecourse veterinary surgeon following the animal’s run at Cork on 15th November 2015. This fact only came to light following an enquiry into the improvement in form shown by Fighting Days following the horse’s win in the Go Racing In Kildare Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on 10th December 2015.

Evidence was heard from Fran Flood, representing his father Francis Flood.

In his evidence Mr Flood said that as he had arranged the scope through the Turf Club veterinary officer at Cork, he was of the belief that the racecourse veterinary officer, who carried out the scope, would have reported the result to the Turf Club veterinary officer. He now accepted that this was not the case and that the obligation was on him to report the result.

Having considered the evidence the Committee found that Francis Flood was in breach of Rule 213(ii). They accepted that his failure to report was based on a genuine misunderstanding and, having taken into account his clean record in this regard, they cautioned him.