See also » Rothwell-full-of-praise-for-OConnell
Paul Townend (who rode Decade Player to win at Tipperary) didn't think this horse would jump around these fences so he wouldn't ride him, so when some other riders knew this they declined to take the ride. I rang Eddie O'Connell and explained that I didn't want to put anyone in danger, but I thought he would jump around here. I'm really delighted with Eddie for doing what I asked him to do. He gave him a super ride. Even the day he didn't jump well at Listowel he was careful. P J Rothwell, trainer

An extended handicap steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards (130 = 11st 10lb)
Weights - Top weight in the original handicap shall; not be less than 11st 10lb
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase after calculation of the handicap to carry 6lb extra for each such steeplechase won. Any horse rated above 130 shall initially be treated as having that rating and the highest weight allotted shall be 11st 10lb. Subsequently, the excess over 130 in any rating shall be added to the weight allotted to that horse. For the purpose of this note, any four year old rated above 130 shall have the applicable weight for age allowance then prevailing deducted from the horse's rating prior to the original calculation of the handicap