See also » Sand too strong for hotpot Trouble
Maybe she has run one bad race. She has never had luck - if you look back, she has been stopped, turned over and been really unlucky. She well deserved that. I'm delighted for the syndicate because I know they were getting a bit despondent. I've never seen a horse with such bad luck and then I saw the draw, 11!. Wayne just said she didn't jump that great and wasn't really travelling so he took his medicine, went up the inside, bided his time and the more she went the better she started to go. Then he had to take a pull down the far bend when it got tight. I'm delighted how she finished out. . I'd say she will be claimed now and I think they are fine with that. Hopefully they will go again with a two-year-old. Job done. Ms Sheila Lavery, trainer

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Kasansay trained by Christopher David Timmons, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left throughout this race

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident after the turn into the straight involving Comeragh Belle, ridden by R.P. Cleary, Ghumama, ridden by J.M. Sheridan, Kasansay, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, and Happy Lad, ridden by C.D. Hayes where it appeared that Comeragh Belle checked and Happy Lad may have got unblanced. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, C.D. Hayes stated that his mount has a bad head carriage and is not genuine so he elected to keep him wide but a challenger appeared quickly down his inner and his own mount rolled immediately and contributed to the incident. R.P. Cleary stated that his mount was not quick enough to take a gap and it closed from both sides. D.P. McDonogh stated that his mount got pressure from his inner but he felt overall that his mount had kept reasonably straight. J.M. Sheridan stated that he was ahead of the incident and felt that his mount was not involved in any trouble. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action

The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Ms. Sheila Lavery, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Steps In The Sand, placed first, as compared with its recent run here at Dundalk on the 25th November when finishing eighth of twelve runners beaten twelve lengths by the winner Maura's Gift. Ms. Sheila Lavery reported that her charge raced prominently the last day and failed to get home in a race that was run at a very fast pace which can be verified by the sectional timing of that race. She added that a level pace today suited her charge who came with a well timed challenge. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.

For three years old and upwards to be claimed for #15,000 or less (Minimum claiming price #5,000)
Weights - 3-y-o 9st 13lbs 4-y-o and up 10st 2lbs