An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Getaway Tom (IRE), ridden by Stan Sheppard and trained by Tom Lacey, who was settled towards the rear of the field before being asked for an effort under tender handling after jumping the second last.

The rider and the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination during routine testing, failed to reveal any abnormalities.

The rider stated that his instructions were to get the gelding settled in order to finish in the best possible placing.

He reported that GETAWAYTOM (IRE) again ran freely in the early stages and showed a tendency to hang badly right-handed throughout, a fact that he reported at scales.

He continued that this was the gelding’s first run on a left-handed track and that the Good ground was the quickest Going that he had encountered.

Going down the back straight he explained that the gelding continued to hang right-handed to the point that on rounding the bend prior to entering the home straight he had both hands on the left side of Getaway Tom (IRE)’s withers, in order to negotiate the bend.

He justified his apparent in-action up the home straight due to the degree to which Getaway Tom (IRE) continued to hang and he felt that if he had released the pressure from his left rein, that the gelding would have run right-handed off the track or into other runners.

The trainer agreed with the rider’s explanation and reported that the gelding had not, up until this stage shown any tendency to hang either at home or on the racecourse.

He stated that he was happy with the ride given in the circumstances and that he felt Sheppard had little option other than to focus on keeping the gelding running in a straight line.

Their explanations were noted.

Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the rider of BERTIE’S BANDANA (IRE), unplaced, was suspended for 2 days for using his whip with his arm above shoulder height from the second last hurdle.

Following the race Craig Nichol reported that Kalabana (IRE), unplaced, ran green.

The Veterinary Officer reported that Kalabana (IRE), lost it's right fore shoe.