Meldrum Lad gets race in stewards' room

A driving finish to the two mile novice hurdle in Tramore saw War Of The Pennys edge out Meldrum Lad by a short head, but the stewards reversed the decision after a lengthy enquiry.

War Of the Pennys, a 7/1 chance from 9s in the morning, delivered a sweeping move round the home bend to readily pick off 11/10 favourite Ashjar He jumped the last in front, but faced a stern challenge from Meldrum Lad and Sean Flanagan who finished strongly.

There was a ‘coming together’ on the run-in which saw Meldrum Lad (13/2) briefly check his stride. He kept on and the pair flashed past the post together with War Of The Pennys and Kevin Sexton narrowly getting the verdict, but the pair lost the race in the stewards' room.

Michael Cullen, trainer of War Of The Pennys, said: “I didn’t think there was a lot in it. He loves it around here, I thought the trip might be a bit too sharp for him, but the conditions of the race suited him well and that’s why we came here. They were all around the same rating. We took a chance coming here but he is improving in fairness to him.”

Meldrum Lad's trainer David Harry Kelly said: "I’d rather win it fair and square and it is hard luck on the people who own War Of The Pennys. I think he would have won easy had he got out (checked for room after the third last). The more I watched it the more I thought he should have got it. I know from riding in races myself that if you get a bump in that stage of a race it will cost you.

"We were hopeful beforehand as he is absolutely flying at home. We tried him over three miles at Tipperary but he just ran too free. We just said we would try the two mile today and he is improving and he seems to have plenty of pace.

"It is nice to see that he handles Tramore as well as it opens up a few more doors for him. We will see how he is in the morning but he takes his racing pretty well and he might reappear quick enough for another novice if I can find a suitable one. The fact that the two miles here wasn’t an issue opens up a few more doors for him as well.

"His owner Tom (Hannon) is originally from Fethard, not far from me, but he is based in England and New Zealand."

Ashjar was the only runner from the Willie Mullins stable on duty in Tramore this evening. The champion trainer has a 42 per cent strike rate at Tramore since 2010 which doubtless led to Ashjar being backed from 7/4 in the morning to 11/10. He finished third.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference after the final hurdle involving Meldrum Lad, ridden by S.W. Flanagan, placed second and War Of The Pennys, ridden by K.C. Sexton, placed first. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that interference had occurred and that the winner had improved his finishing position as a result of this interference and therefore altered the judges placings to read :

First- Meldrum Lad

Second- War Of The Pennys

The Stewards took no further action.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy