Permission was given for Flame Spirit (IRE) and Musterion (IRE) to both wear a red hood to post.

Leaving the stalls, Smoky Mountain (IRE), placed second, jumped right-handed at the same time as Eagle Eyed Tom (GB), placed fourth, jumped slightly left-handed, which resulted in Musterion (IRE), unplaced, being briefly tightened for room but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of either Smoky Mountain (IRE) or Eagle Eyed Tom (GB).

Also leaving the stalls, the winner, Girl Racer (IRE), jumped right-handed, at the same time as Flame Spirit (IRE), placed third, jumped left-handed, hampering Intoxicata (FR), unplaced, which was tightened for room but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of either Girl Racer (IRE) or Flame Spirit (IRE).

Approximately 1 furlong out, the winner Girl Racer (IRE), lugged slightly left-handed whilst running greenly, intimidating SMOKEY MOUNTAIN (IRE), placed second, off its intended line before that runner itself then hung left-handed independently, causing Flame Spirit (IRE), placed third, to be briefly inconvenienced but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of Girl Racer (IRE).

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Musterion (IRE), ridden by Dayverson De Barros and trained by John Butler, which was bumped leaving the stalls and settled towards the rear of the field early on, before then appearing to be negatively ridden and became partially detached in the back straight until being asked for an effort in the final 2 furlongs to stay on evenly and finish eighth of ten runners, beaten by 22¼ 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 revealed no clinical abnormalities, other than the filly presented with a wide gait behind.

The rider stated that his instructions were to jump out and obtain cover on the filly enabling her to relax as she was known to be both a strong and nervous type at home.

De Barros explained that he suffered interference leaving the stalls and had steadied his mount going into the first bend to ensure Musterion (IRE) settled, but she raced keenly and awkwardly throughout, particularly on the bend.

De Barros indicated that he was intent on keeping the filly balanced and considering her unusual gait, he had not wanted to make more of an effort other than audibly clicking her along, as he was worried she would become further unbalanced.

De Barros added that when Musterion (IRE) was asked for its finishing effort approaching the home turn, the filly failed to quicken appreciably and only passed weakening runners in the home straight, despite him using the whip on one occasion.

The trainer’s representative confirmed the instructions and that the filly was known to be keen, however whilst noting Musterion (IRE) was hampered leaving the stalls, the trainer considered that the rider should have made greater effort to remain competitive in the middle stages and not dropped so far off the main division of runners.

De Barros was suspended for 15 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure Musterion (IRE) was given full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing, in that he had excessively and unnecessarily restrained his mount for a considerable distance down the back straight, which resulted in him forfeiting significant ground when there was no clear or logical reason for that to be the case.

Musterion (IRE) was routine tested.

Following the race; Dougie Costello reported that Dancing In Paris (FR), unplaced, raced greenly.