Tea demoted as Duckweed is awarded race

The Jessica Harrington trained Duckweed was awarded the Limerickraces.ie (Mares) Novice Hurdle in the Stewards Room.

The 2/1 chance (from 4's this morning and from 5/2 on-course) went down by just a nose to Thanks For Tea but she was bumped by that rival after the last and subsequently found herself tight for room.

The Stewards deemed the interference to be sufficient to change the result.

Robbie Power was aboard the Kieran Guinness owned winner who was recording her second success of the summer.

Thanks For Tea was returned a 5/1 chance under Paul Townend for Edmond Kent while What A Jewel was 8/1 and she finished just a neck back in third under Mickey Butler for Eoin Doyle. Antilope Du Seuil was sent off the 7/4 favourite and she was a disappointing sixth under Barry Geraghty for Gordon Elliott.

Robbie Power said afterwards: "I thought on first impressions that we were beaten (in the photo-finish) but the bump she got inside the final furlong had unbalanced her and without it, she'd have been a genuine winner.

"She has won twice for us now but I don't know where she'll run next."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into possible interference after the final hurdle involving Thanks For Tea, ridden by P. Townend, placed first, Duckweed, ridden by R.M. Power, placed second and What A Jewel, ridden by M.P. Butler, placed third, where it appeared both Duckweed and What A Jewel ran short of room on the inside. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the interference caused by Thanks For Tea improved its position in relation to Duckweed and ordered it be placed behind Duckweed and took no further action. The amended result now reads 1st Duckweed, 2nd Thanks For Tea, 3rd What A Jewel, 4th The Brock Inn 5th Jesmond Lodge Mrs. T.K. Cooper absented herself from this enquiry.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Antilope Du Seuil (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes