Tony Coyle had obtained prior permission from the BHA to run Monophonic (IRE) partially shod.

An enquiry was held into the riding of Two Plus Two (IRE), ridden by Jefferson Smith and trained by Ed de Giles, which was slowly away and held up in the rear of the field before being asked for its effort in the home straight to finish sixth of seven, beaten by 8 ¼ lengths.

The rider was interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination, during routine testing of Two Plus Two (IRE), failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Smith explained that his instructions were to be positive from the start and ride the race accordingly, but after Two Plus Two (IRE) dwelt leaving the stalls causing the gelding to be slowly away, he encouraged his mount forward to latch on to the back of the field.

Smith added that as the field exited the back straight, he felt his mount become outpaced and briefly become adrift of the field and in order to make up the lost ground he was encouraging the gelding forward.

The rider further added that after entering the home straight and feeling his mount become more balanced, he proceeded to ask the gelding for maximum effort which he felt his mount responded to all the way to the line and in his opinion obtained the best possible placing.

Smith continued that he recommended stepping Two Plus Two (IRE) up in trip may be of benefit in the future.

His explanation was noted.

Race 5 - 7:55pm.

THE BEST DRESSED HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) Permission was given for BELTANE (IRE) to go early to post wearing a red hood and for VINDOBALA (IRE) to be mounted in the chute and go early to post.

Following the race, Ben Robinson reported that STARSHIBA, placed third, ran too free.