Permission was given for Fanzio (FR) to wear a red hood in the parade ring only.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Duc De Beauchene (FR), ridden by Tom Scudamore and trained by David Pipe, which was ridden towards the rear of the field before being asked for an initial effort on leaving the back straight, after which he stayed on under apparent tender handling up the home straight to finish in second place, beaten 11 lengths.

Scudamore was interviewed and shown recordings of the race.

The rider stated his instructions were to jump out handily, but that Duc De Beauchene (FR) didn’t travel early and showed a tendency to carry his head awkwardly.

He continued that the gelding had a history of hanging both ways throughout his races and he therefore raced with a special bit to counter both of these idiosyncrasies.

He added that Duc De Beauchene (FR) was outpaced down the back straight, resulting in him niggling the gelding along, where he responded but without ever quickening.

Approaching the second last fence Scudamore continued that the gelding had hung in left-handed towards the rail, resulting in him having to race in behind the weakening Financier (GB), placed fourth, after been kept in by Moonlighter (GB), placed third, who was racing to his outside.

Scudamore finished by stating that once he had free running in the home straight, Duc De Beauchene moved past both of those horses, albeit at the one-pace, and in the process achieving his best possible placing.

Scudamore’s explanation was noted.

The performance of Fanzio (IRE), which finished fifth of five, was considered.

Richard Hobson’s explanation that Fanzio (IRE) was unsuited by the Soft, Good to Soft in places going, which in his opinion was riding tacky and would prefer a quicker surface, was noted.

Following the race, David Noonan reported that Moonlighter (GB), placed third, jumped left-handed throughout.