An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Flaming Ambition (IRE), ridden by William Shanahan and trained by Gary Hanmer, which travelled strongly towards the rear of the field throughout, before appearing to be ridden with a level of restraint and lost ground from rounding the home turn until after jumping the second last hurdle, at which point the gelding commenced to stay on well under an apparently tender hands and heels ride to finish fourth, beaten 13¾ lengths.

The rider and the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race; and the Veterinary Officer reported two post-race examinations of Flaming Ambition (IRE) before and after routine sampling, failed to reveal any abnormalities.

The rider stated his instructions were to drop in, switch the gelding off as it is novicey and can be keen, whilst ensuring that Flaming Ambition (IRE) had a positive experience.

Shanahan explained that the gelding’s jumping was guessy at times and also that Flaming Ambition (IRE) had made a respiratory noise at the top of Rose Hill, which he had failed to report at Scales, but tendered as evidence during the enquiry.

He added that in his opinion Flaming Ambition (IRE) was outpaced turning in when the leaders kicked for home, though acknowledged that he missed a vital opportunity to come between horses and send the gelding forward on the approach to the first hurdle in the home straight.

Thereafter, he maintained that Flaming Ambition (IRE) was going as fast as it could and only passed tiring horses having jumped the final flight.

The Trainer confirmed the instructions and that he was satisfied with the ride generally, although accepted that Shanahan could have done more to improve and maintain his position early in the home straight.

Hanmer continued by saying he was pleased with the horse’s performance, seeing it as a good stepping stone from which the gelding could progress and felt confident that a step up in trip would unlock further improvement.

William Shanahan was suspended for 18 days and Gary Hanmer was fined £4,000 for schooling and conditioning the horse on the racecourse in that Shanahan had failed to ride his mount in such a way that he could be seen to ask for timely, real and substantial effort to obtain the best possible placing on Flaming Ambition (IRE), which was debuting for the yard after a 317 day absence.

Flaming Ambition (IRE) was suspended from running in any race for 40 days.