An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Time To Get Up (IRE), ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr and trained by Jonjo O’Neill, which was settled in mid-division, and after being ridden to maintain its position approaching the home bend, then appeared to be tenderly handled in the home straight to finish third of seven finishers, beaten 12½ lengths.

The rider was interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported a post-race examination of the gelding during routine testing failed to reveal any abnormalities, other than a small amount of blood in the left nostril which she did not attribute to exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

The rider stated that his instructions were to jump off and sit handy, with a view to getting Time To Get Up (IRE) in a nice jumping rhythm on the gelding's first run over fences, after a 329 day lay-off.

He added that Time To Get Up (IRE)’s early jumping was novicey, but improved as the race progressed, however when the leaders quickened up exiting the back straight, the gelding was initially out-paced and ran into the bottom of the cross-fence losing ground.

O'Neill Jr.

further stated that turning into the home straight, he felt Time To Get Up (IRE) commence to tire and thereafter the gelding lugged left-handed, so he chose to ride a hands and heels finish, which served to ensure Time To Get Up (IRE) found the line and achieved the best possible placing.

O'Neill Jr also explained that as Time To Get Up (IRE) is a long-striding horse, the gelding may prove to be better suited to a more galloping track in future.

His explanation was noted.

The winner, Canelo (IRE), appeared to show an improvement in form compared with its previous run at Uttoxeter on 16 October 2020, where the gelding finished eleventh of eighteen, beaten 24 lengths.

Alan King’s representative explained that Canelo (IRE) had stripped fitter for its reappearance run after a 229 day break, and also benefitted from the first-time application of cheekpieces on this occasion.