An enquiry was held into the running and riding of WARNER’S CROSS (IRE), ridden by Bradley Roberts and trained by Clare Hobson, which was restrained at the start and sat in rear throughout, before making steady headway having been considerately handled from entering the back straight until jumping the final hurdle to finish sixth of ten runners, beaten by 35¾ lengths.

The rider and the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race; the Veterinary Officer reported that an initial post-race examination shortly after the race revealed no abnormalities, however a second examination approximately 1 hour after the race, revealed the gelding to be slightly lame (1/5) right-hind.

Warner's Cross (IRE) was routine tested.

The rider stated his instructions were to drop Warner's Cross (IRE) out early and ensure the gelding relaxed.

He explained that Warner's Cross (IRE) had been unruly at the start, rearing on several occasions when reluctant to line up, however jumped well throughout on this occasion.

Roberts continued by saying that he considered the early pace to have been fast and this helped to ensure that Warner's Cross (IRE) switched off and relaxed, but he remained mindful of not wanting to get up amongst horses too early in the race, for fear of the gelding taking a stronger hold with him.

He added that from towards the end of the back straight Warner's Cross (IRE) had initially been outpaced, before staying on through beaten horses in the home straight.

The trainer confirmed the instructions and that the ride had accorded with them.

Roberts was suspended for 10 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that Warner's Cross (IRE) was given full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing, in that he had failed to ride his mount in such a way that he could be seen to ask for a timely, real or substantial level of effort until after jumping the last hurdle.

Following the race, Luke Scott reported that Black Tonic (GB), placed fourth, ran too free.