See also » Mulvany's Talking Tough relishes the hill
Billy (Lee) said they went good and hard early on and when he hit the hill, the rising ground helped him. He did the same at Sligo when he finished well and that is the secret to him. We are giving him plenty of racing but he is still a little ball of a horse and saves a little bit for himself all the time. We'll have to think about running him again later in the week with him. It's a different feeling to have a winner tonight - normally there'd be an army load of us who'd come up for the week and would give it welly; some are still coming (to Galway) but they're not here and can't really enjoy it. Michael Mulvany, trainer

The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Talking Tough, trained by Michael Mulvany, placed first, compared with its recent form. Evidence was heard from Mr. Garry O'Gorman, Rules of Racing Handicapper, who stated that this horse had won at Sligo but it had dropped in the weights following two poor runs latterly. Today's performance was a big improvement in form from its last run at Gowran in particular, this combined with a significant betting move warranted an enquiry into the apparent improvement

Evidence was also heard from the trainer concerned who stated that this horse had been poorly drawn at Naas where most of the horses on that side couldn't get into the race that day. At Gowran last time he was cut off by horses dropping back in the straight. The horse seemed to relish Galway's uphill finish and the uphill finish at Sligo as they're similar to his own gallop at home. He also felt the horse appreciated the softer ground today

Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

An extended handicap for three years old only rated 50-80
Weights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 10st and the minimum weight is 8st 6lbs
Penalties - (after calculation of the handicap) A winner shall carry 6lb extra for each race won.