See also » Drop-back-in-trip-suits-Effernock-Lad
Bringing him back to two miles did the trick obviously. We thought he wanted two-and-a-half and he did win over 2m5f at Downpatrick but it was a slowly run race. Two miles is the key to him. He looks like a slow horse at home but he lights up when he comes racing. He’s a grand old horse. He’s won three times over hurdles and that’s his first chase. We’ve had him since he was a four-year-old. We were hoping to sell him but he didn’t win a point-to-point and he was left with us. He’s done a job anyway. There are probably more opportunities for him in England and we’re thinking about a race in Musselburgh in a couple of weeks for him. We’ve had it in mind for him and said if he ran well here he would go. It depends on what the handicapper does now. Gerard Keane, trainer

The Stewards requested a report from Gerard Keane, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Effernock Lad, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Gerard Keane reported that this animal had raced in excess of two miles in recent runs and had every chance after two miles but appeared to fail to finish. He added that he reverted back to two miles today only because of the lack of another opportunity but felt that a true run two mile race is probably his best distance whereas he might get further if the race was run at a steady pace. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

An extended handicap steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards (109 = 11st 10lb)
Weights - Top weight in the original handicap; shall not be less than 11st 10lb
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase after calculation of the handicap to carry 6lb extra for each such steeplechase won.
Riders - Confined to Professional under I.N.H.S. Rules who have not lost the right to claim the allowance under Rule 52 (iii). Allowances (which are not cumulative, up to and including 9th November) who have not ridden the winners of 25 *races allowed 4lb Those who have not ridden the winners of 40 *races allowed 2lb No allowance to riders under Rule 52 (iii) may be claimed.