See also » Sequoia in good Spirits on seasonal debut
He’s a hardy little horse and we gave him a good break this time. He just loves his work and thrives from work and racing. The dead ground helped him. He’ll mix it now between the Flat and hurdles for the summer and hopefully we’ll have a bit of fun with him. We’ll be aiming for the likes of Killarney and he was unlucky in Listowel last year. Ray Hackett, trainer

Siobhan Rutledge, rider of Bolero, trained by H.Rogers, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount hung left turning in and early in the straight

G.P. Brouder, rider of Ellaat (GB), trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly right, made a noise and that he thought his mount was going to fall after the winning post which as was dismounted and walked back

S. Foley, rider of Queen Of Seduction, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never picked up in the straight

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Queen Of Seduction, at the request of trainer, Mrs John Harrington, and reported the animal post race normal

The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Ellaat (GB), ridden by G.P. Brouder, and trained by C.Byrnes. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. G.P. Brouder, stated that his instructions were to settle his mount early, get it to relax as it had made a noise previously and to do his best from there. He said his mount settled well but made a noise at the first bend and this continued throughout the race. He said he tried to quicken the pace from about halfway so it would not turn into a sprint in the closing stages and that his mount hung right in the home straight but despite this, was ridden to the best of his ability. He concluded by stating that his mount was leg weary after the winning post and was dismounted and walked back in. He accepted that his mount took some time to pull up after the race and had continued galloping until after the mile start. When questioned why he did not pull up his mount during the race despite making such a noise, he stated that he was happy to continue because it had made a noise previously. C.Byrnes, confirmed the instructions given and referred to his charges wind issues. He said he was disappointed with the ride given and referred to it as "not pretty viewing" but when asked if he felt the rider should have pulled his charge up, he stated that the the rider was correct not to pull the animal up and referred to it as being being "only a low rated animal". On further questioning when asked if he felt the animal was prevented from running on it's merits, he was satisfied that this had not occurred. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer,who stated that Ellaat was coughing post race, but was otherwise post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that both trainer and rider were in breach of Rule 212A(i) in that both were involved in the running and/or riding of a horse in a race, who deliberately or recklessly causes or permitted a horse to run other than on its merits. Having taken their records in this regard into account, the Raceday Stewards fined C. Byrnes, trainer, €6000. They suspended G.P

Brouder for 21 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards suspended Ellaat for 90 days in accordance with the provisions of Rule 212 C.(d) and referred the betting pattern of Ellaat to a Senior racing Official for further investigation

In arriving at their decision, The Raceday Stewards acknowledged the report from the I.H.R.B. Veterinary Officer, that Ellaat was coughing post race, but they were satisfied that given the way the animal finished out the race and appeared to them to run on after passing the winning post that the animal was not inconvenienced in any way at the time. Mrs. P. Hassett, Stipendiary Steward was replaced by Mr. Liam Walsh, Senior Stipendiary Steward for this enquiry

GENERAL INFORMATION The following Raceday Stewards acted on behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at this race meeting: Mr. N.P. Lambert (Chairman), Mrs. C. Corb

An extended handicap for four years old and upwards rated 47-70
Penalties - (after calculation of the handicap) A winner shall carry 7lb extra for each race won.