Permission was given for Pay For Adaay (GB) to go to post early and wear a red hood.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Congress (GB), ridden by Jonny Peate and trained by Roger Fell, which jumped cleanly and was allowed to drift back and settle just worse than midfield, before briefly being asked for a hands and heels effort approaching 2 furlongs out, whereupon from thereafter it then appeared to be considerately handled and stayed on evenly to finish eighth of ten runners, beaten by 8¾ lengths.

The rider and the trainer’s representative were interviewed and shown recordings of the race.

The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding, failed to reveal any abnormalities.

The rider stated his instructions were to bounce the colt out, obtain cover and ride his race from there.

Peate explained that after jumping well, he was able to travel nicely in behind runners and had asked Congress (GB) to lengthen and quicken up from approaching 2 furlongs, however inside the final 2 furlongs the colt had then hung markedly left-handed (a fact he reported at scales) which restricted his ability to put Congress (GB) under a greater degree of pressure.

Peate added that he elected not to pull his whip through to the left-hand in order to assist correcting the colt as he was concerned that relieving the maximum pressure he had applied to the right rein, would enable Congress (GB) to move sharply left- handed and potentially cause interference to other runners.

The trainer’s representative confirmed the instructions and that the ride accorded with the instructions given.

The stewards noted their explanations.