Mr. W.P. Mullins,  “Mourad” Appeal

Punchestown,  31st  December,  2008.

The Appeals Body, Division Two, Mr. J.R. Craigie (in the Chair), Mr. W.M. Halley and Mrs. T.K. Cooper, met in the Stewards Room at Gowran Park on Thursday, 22nd January, 2009, to consider an appeal lodged by Mr. W.P. Mullins, Trainer, against the decision of the Acting Stewards at Punchestown on 31st December, 2008, when following the running of the Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Punchestown 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle Race the Stewards did not alter the Judges placings having held an enquiry into interference following the race in which “Mourad”, trained by Mr. Mullins, had finished second to “Jumbo Rio”, trained by Mr. E.J. O’Grady.  Evidence was heard from Mr. W.P. Mullins, Trainer of “Mourad”, Ruby Walsh, Rider of “Mourad”, Mr. E.J. O’Grady, Trainer of “Jumbo Rio”, and A.J. McNamara, Rider of “Jumbo Rio”, while a film of the race was also viewed.

Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body allowed the Appeal.

The result now reads:-

First: Mourad,
Second: Jumbo Rio,
Third:  Ebadiyan,
Fourth: Celtic Strand.

The case was presented to the Committee by Mr. Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club.