Permission was given for Black Lightning (IRE) to wear a hood in the Parade Ring only.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Zinat (IRE), ridden and trained by Mr Phillip York, which was held up in last place under apparent tender handling, before running on under a hands and heels ride for sections of the home straight to finish fifth of fourteen, beaten by 24½ lengths.

York was interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the mare failed to reveal any abnormalities.

York stated his intention was to drop the mare out before asking for a single effort as he felt that she had previously showed a tendency to pull herself up after passing horses.

In addition, he stated that this was Zinat’s (IRE) fourth run for the yard and that he was still learning about how to ride her, having only ridden the mare on her first start for the yard.

He reported that the mare jumped well and that on leaving the back straight he was happy with his position before he quickly became detached from the field as they began to quicken when rounding the home bend at a time that he appeared to be inactive in the saddle.

On entering the home straight, York asked for a hands and heels effort for a short period, before standing back up in his irons an unreasonable distance before the third last hurdle, at a time that the field in front were all asking their mounts for considerable effort.

Having jumped the third last, York again asked Zinat (IRE) for a hands and heel effort which he continued whilst passing horses until approximately 10 strides before the last hurdle, whereupon he again stood up in his irons whilst those around continued to push.

Having jumped the last, he returned to asking for an effort, again gaining on those in front, running on strongly to close by approximately 6 lengths to pass the horse in front and close considerably on the fourth placed horse, both of whom were ridden with considerably more vigor for the duration of the home straight.

York agreed that having watched the section of the race from leaving the back straight through to the line, that he appeared not to be asking Zinat (IRE) for a real, timely or substantial effort, but he added that he was unsure that if he had, if he would have finished any closer.

York was suspended for 10 days, on dates to be notified to him by the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority, for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race in that he failed to ask for neither real or substantial effort.