Humaniste makes winning start for O'Grady

Appropriately enough after winning the Winter Festival 1st & 2nd December 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse with Humaniste (12/1) successful handler Edward O'Grady said "he'll probably have to come back here in a couple of weeks time (for the Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle)."

Paul Townend donned the silks of the Weir House Syndicate on the French-import and though he mightn't have always impressed in the jumping department Humaniste came out on top by two and three parts of a length from Got Trumped

"We were hoping he was a nice horse but that's the first time he's been on grass since we got him so we didn't really know," further explained O'Grady.

"Paul rode him a piece of work on the all-weather but said he's a different horse on grass.

"He looked like he still has a good bit to learn. He has showed us very little at home but he seemed to come alive today.

"Even though he made a few errors there I think he jumps well and it was more a case of him being fresh and keen.

"I'm very pleased and you couldn't ask more."

The Stewards received a report from the IHRB Veterinary Officer, Ms. Joan Taylor, M.R.C.V.S., shortly before the running of the first race regarding evidence of a small puncture wound on the upper 1/3 jugular off side of the neck of Got Trumped (GB) when observed by a Veterinary Assistant in the stable yard.

Evidence was heard from Ms. Taylor and from Mr. N. Amond, Authorised Representative for trainer Mrs. John Harrington.

The trainer's representative stated that this horse had been administered with 1000ml of Duphalyte on the previous day as part of its standard pre race routine.

Ms. Taylor stated that in her opinion, the puncture wound and dried blood was consistent with this explanation. She had earlier liaised with the trainer's attending veterinary surgeon, Ms. Ellen Riordan MVB of Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, who had confirmed to her that she had administered 1000ml of Duphalyte to this horse on 5th November as part of routine pre race hydration.

A copy of the relevant entry in the trainer's Medicines Register was forwarded to the Stewards Secretaries and a photograph of the affected area of the horse was shown to the Stewards.

Prior to the full enquiry, the Stewards had allowed the horse to run and ordered post race samples to be taken.

Having considered the evidence the Stewards referred the matter to the CEO of the IHRB.

Mrs. T.K. Cooper, Acting Steward, absented herself from this enquiry.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Flat To The Max (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(GC & EM)