An enquiry was held into the running and riding of GROOM D’OUDAIRIES (FR), ridden by Nick Schofield and trained by Christian Williams, who was held up at the rear of the field before becoming detached in the back straight on the final circuit when the gelding appeared to be tenderly handled, before closing slightly under tender handling in the home straight, passing one horse to finish eighth of ten, beaten by 25 ¾ lengths.

Schofield was interviewed and shown recordings of the race.

The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities during routine testing.

Schofield stated this was the gelding’s first run over fences and that his instructions were to drop GROOM D’OUDAIRIES (FR) in and to get him settled.

He continued that the gelding is a ‘bridle horse’ who finds little once asked for an effort and therefore needs to be played as late as possible.

He explained that on this occasion, the gelding didn’t travel as well as he normally can and that the field began to get away from him entering the back straight, a point he put down to the Good, Good to Firm ground and the drop in trip from 3 miles on his previous run at Ludlow, to 2 miles 75 yards.

Schofield added that he was reluctant to ask for a more serious effort in the back straight, as that he felt by doing so would result in the gelding pulling up and he finished by stating that GROOM D’OUDAIRIES (FR) jumped the final two fences in the manner of a tired horse, but that overall he was happy with the gelding’s jumping on his first try at fences.

After the race Schofield informed the trainer’s representative that the gelding would, in his opinion, be better suited by a step up in trip, on easier ground and that a smaller field may be preferable.

His reasoning for this was that it would suit his running style better - in that the field would be less likely to get so far clear of him, therefore allowing GROOM D’OUDAIRIES (FR) to travel better into the race on the bridle.

His explanation was noted.

Jumping the third last fence SHORTACROSS STORM (IRE) jumped right as Gambie Tiep (FR), placed fourth, jumped left causing the two to bump and the saddle to slip on SHORTACROSS STORM, resulting in SHORTACROSS STORM being pulled up.

Following the race Finn Lambert reported that the saddle slipped riding SHORTACROSS STORM (IRE) resulting in the gelding being pulled up.