An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Oakmont (FR), ridden by Charlotte Jones, and trained by James Moffatt, which was tenderly handled throughout the race at the rear of the field, to finish sixth, beaten by 13 ½ lengths and asked for its effort only after jumping the last.

The rider and the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that an initial post-race examination of Oakmont (FR) failed to reveal any abnormalities.

However, a second examination an hour later revealed the gelding to be one fifth lame on its left hind.

The rider stated her instructions were to ride Oakmont (FR) at the rear of the field with the intention to produce him late as he finds nothing off the bridle and only has one run.

Miss Jones added that Oakmont (FR) had been keen to post so she decided to drop him right out to settle him and to prevent him from becoming overly competitive early in the race.

Thereafter, she acknowledged that, having seen the film of the race, she had overdone those tactics and, although she did ask Oakmont (FR) for his effort jumping the last even though she wasn’t making any ground on the leaders on the run to the line, she had become too remote to mount an effective challenge.

The trainer confirmed that his instructions had been to hold the gelding up but would have liked to see Oakmont (FR) in closer contention at the top of the hill in order to make its run.

Jones was suspended for 7 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure her horse was run on its merits in that she had failed to ask for either real or substantial effort throughout the race.