Permission was given for both Liam Swagger (GB) and Rakki (GB) to wear a red hood to post.

The Starter reported that Liam Swagger (GB), trained by James Owen, had arrived at the start with a damaged girth which had to be replaced and caused a delay to the start of the race.

The trainer’s representative and the Starter were interviewed, and the girth was inspected.

The representative of James Owen explained that the girth was in a serviceable condition when she saddled the gelding but as the horse jumped away to go the start, she heard the noise of the girth beginning to break and asked a member of the ground staff to notify the start by radio.

The Starter reported that the girth was subsequently changed at the start as a consequence of the girth breaking fully at the start.

The Stewards considered that the failure could not have been predicted with the girth apparently being in a serviceable condition when saddling the horse, therefore they took no further action.

An enquiry was held to consider interference approximately ½ furlong out involving Rakki (GB), placed second, ridden by Billy Loughnane, the winner, Almudena (GB), ridden by Luke Morris and Cock And Bull (IRE), placed third, ridden by Callum Shepherd.

The interference was found to be accidental as Almudena (GB) shifted right-handed at the same time that Rakki (GB) stepped left-handed causing Cock And Bull (IRE) to become short of room between the pair.