Permission was given for Tolstoy (IRE) to wear a red hood to the start.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Buachaill (IRE), ridden by George Bass and trained by Mick Channon, which raced in mid division throughout before staying on under apparent tender handling inside the final 2½ furlongs to finish fourth of ten, beaten by 7½ lengths.

The rider and the trainer’s representative were interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that two post-race examinations of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.

The rider stated that his instructions were to sit where Buachaill (IRE) would be most relaxed, get him switched off and let him finish off the race well as the gelding had run very keen in its previous races.

After getting Buachaill (IRE) both cover and settled early, Bass began to ask him for an effort approximately 2½ furlongs out but stated that it took until the final 1½ furlongs for Buachaill (IRE) to get organised and in his opinion the gelding only stayed on passing tiring horses inside the final furlong, with the winner still going away from him at the line.

The trainer’s representative confirmed the instructions and stated that he was satisfied that the ride accorded with those instructions but reiterated that it took Buachaill (IRE) a while to get into stride.

He further stated that despite Buachaill (IRE) being outpaced on its first start at Salisbury over 7 furlongs last month, the gelding has recently been showing increased speed at home so therefore opted to run him over 6 furlongs today.

Further to this he added that Buachaill (IRE) had failed to get home on either of his previous runs over 7 and 9 furlongs which was further reason for the steep drop back in trip.

Bass was suspended for 12 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race in that he failed to ask for neither real or substantial effort over the final 2½ furlongs.

Following the race, Marco Ghiani reported that Bang On The Bell (GB), unplaced, jumped sharply left- handed leaving the stalls.