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The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference between the final hurdle and the winning post involving Monbeg Park, ridden by Mr B. Lawless, placed first and Risk Belle (FR), ridden by M.P. Walsh, placed second, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, M.P. Walsh stated that his mount was bumped and impeded on two occasions on the run to the finish which prohibited him from winning. Mr. B. Lawless stated that his mount had jumped right at the final hurdle and had edged right from there despite his whip being in his right hand. In his opinion he felt that the initial bump was caused by Risk Belle (Fr) coming out resulting in his own mount receiving pressure causing him to lean inwards

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Monbeg Park had caused interference to Risk Belle (Fr) and as a result of this interference had improved it’s finishing position. As a consequence, the Raceday Stewards reversed the placings of the first and second placed horses and amended the result to read as follows: Amended Result: First: Risk Belle (Fr) Second: Monbeg Park Third: Horantzau D'airy (Fr) Fourth: Magnor Glory Fifth: Tax For Max (GER) and Sixth: Captains Nephew

Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Mr B. Lawless was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for three racedays. Mr Joe Collins, Raceday Steward, recused himself from this enquiry

The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Starter, Mr. J.R. Banahan, that a number of riders had failed to obey his instructions which caused a false start. Evidence was heard from D

Meyler, rider of Shanroe (GB), Mr D. Allen, rider of Da Capo Glory, M.P. O'Connor, rider of Magnor Glory, P

Townend, rider of Tax For Max (GER), Mr B. Lawless, rider of Monbeg Park, K.C. Sexton, rider of The Big Doyen, L.A. McKenna, rider of Wajaaha, D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Captains Nephew, M.J.M O'Sullivan, rider of Jazzy Matty (FR), M.M. McDonagh, rider of Little Mixup, M.P. Walsh, rider of Risk Belle (FR) and A.P. Kelly, rider of Ballybawn Belter. Evidence was also heard from the starter concerned. In his evidence, Mr J.R. Banahan explained the procedure that he had enacted at the start but the riders had failed to obey his instructions. Each rider gave an explanation as to what caused their mount to jump off against the Starters instructions. Having viewed the recording of the incident and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Rule 208 was breached by D. Meyler, Mr. B. Lawless, L.A. McKenna, D.J. O'Keeffe, M.J.M. O'Sullivan, M.M. McDonagh, M.P. Walsh, and A.P. Kelly. Having considered the previous records of the riders, the Raceday Stewards suspended the following riders for one raceday as they had a clean previous record; D. Meyler, Mr B. Lawless, M.J.M. O'Sullivan, M.M. McDonagh, M.P. Walsh and A.P. Kelly. Having considered the previous record of L.A

McKenna, the Raceday Stewards suspended him for two racedays. Having considered the previous record of D.J

O'Keeffe, the Raceday Stewards suspended him for three racedays. The Raceday Stewards accepted the explanations of K.C. Sexton, P. Townend and M.P. O'Connor. The Raceday Stewards referred Mr D. Allen to the Referrals Committee as he failed to attend this enquiry

GENERAL INFORMATION The following Raceday Stewards acted on behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at this race meeting: Mr. Neil McGrath (Chairman), Mr. Jack Rearden, Mrs. T.K. Cooper, Mr. Joe Collins, Mr. L. Walsh

An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards that have run at least three times in hurdle races up to and including 26th March 2023
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race or hurdle races after calculation of the handicap shall carry any penalty or penalties which may be allotted by the Handicapper.