Permission was given for Lotus Rose (GB) to go early to post, wearing a red hood; and for Rogue Thunder (GB) to wear a red hood to post.

COUNT D’ORSAY (IRE), trained by Tim Easterby, ran the previous day at York, finishing last of twenty- one runners.

Having been examined by the Veterinary Officer, the gelding was deemed fit to race.

COUNT D’ORSAY (IRE), trained by Tim Easterby, lost its right-fore shoe on the way to post.

As the trainer had not indicated at declaration stage that the gelding should be withdrawn in the event of losing a shoe on the way to post, COUNT D’ORSAY (IRE) ran without its right-fore shoe.

Turning into the home straight, Secret Mistral (GB), placed second, edged marginally left-handed when the rider shifted his weight to the right to try and keep the saddle, which had slipped, central on his mount, slightly hampering Lotus Rose (GB), placed fourth, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of Secret Mistral (GB).

An enquiry was held to consider interference turning into the home straight, involving the winner, COUNT D’ORSAY (IRE), ridden by Sean Kirrane; Maharajas Express (GB), unplaced, ridden by Zak Wheatley; Bang On The Bell (GB), unplaced, ridden by Harrison Shaw; Rogue Thunder (GB), unplaced, ridden by Harry Burns; and High Velocity (IRE), placed fifth, ridden by Sean Dylan Bowen.

Kirrane was cautioned for careless riding as when angling for a run, he slightly misjudged the gap to his right, giving a light brush to Maharajas Express (GB), which subsequently shied away and carried Bang On The Bell (GB), Rogue Thunder (GB) and High Velocity (IRE), which were racing to the outside of Maharajas Express (GB), off their intended lines.

The winner, COUNT D’ORSAY (IRE), appeared to show improved form compared with its previous run at York on 26 July 2024, where the gelding finished last of twenty-one runners, beaten by 19¼ lengths.

It was noted that the representative of Tim Easterby could offer no explanation for the gelding’s improved form on this occasion.

COUNT D’ORSAY (IRE) was routine tested.

Following the race, Franny Norton reported that Red Walls (GB), unplaced, stumbled rounding the home bend; and Jack Doughty reported that the saddle slipped round, when leaving the stalls on Secret Mistral (GB), placed second.