Permission was given for Tarseem (IRE) to wear a red hood to post.

Leaving the back straight, Encashment (GB), unplaced, ridden by Kielan Woods, became short for room between Little Jessture (IRE), placed fourth, and Spider Bill (GB), unplaced, causing Woods to ease his mount which resulted in Lucy Gardner, the rider of Zillion (IRE), placed fifth, taking a check and switching her mount right-handed off heels, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.

The winner, Allsfineandandy (IRE), appeared to show improved form compared with its previous run at Exeter on 2 November 2021 where the gelding finished ninth of eighteen, beaten by 40 ½ lengths.

It was noted that Joe Tizzard could offer no explanation for the gelding’s improved form.

Allsfineandandy (IRE) was routine tested.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Sweet Nightingale (GB) ridden by Nick Scholfield and trained by Polly Gundry, who was held up at the rear of the field on the inside before moving to the outside going out on the final circuit, prior to staying on under hands and heels riding to finish eighth of ten, beaten by 25 ¾ lengths.

Scholfield was interviewed and shown recordings of the race.

The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the mare failed to reveal any abnormalities during routine testing.

Scholfield reported that Sweet Nightingale (GB) is a small mare who needs her races to be run at a strong pace.

On this occasion, however, he reported that the pace had slowed markedly prior to going out on the final circuit and he, therefore, decided to move the mare to the outside of the field so as not to risk becoming stuck behind runners once eventually the pace quickened in the latter stages.

He continued that the pace quickened only slightly going down the back straight, with the field still tightly packed coming along the side prior to turning in, where Scholfield reported that he was wider than he would have ideally liked to be.

Having turned into the home straight, the race, in his opinion, turned into a sprint and Sweet Nightingale (GB) could only continue at the one-pace.

It quickly became his priority to get the mare over the final two hurdles and to finish the race.

He further informed the Stewards that he had suggested to Polly Gundry, Sweet Nightingale (GB)’s trainer, that going forwards a step up in trip may be more suitable and play to the mare’s strengths.

His explanation was noted.

Following the race, Charlie Hammond reported that Moved In March (IRE) made a bad mistake 3 hurdles out and subsequently pulled up and the Veterinary Officer reported that Spider Bill (GB), unplaced, had lost its left hind shoe.