After a lengthy steward’s enquiry the placings of the first two were reversed following the concluding HOLLYWOODBETS HORSE RACING AND SPORTS BETTING Handicap at Dundalk. Barretstown was promoted at the expense of first past the post, Star Harbour

Rounding off a luckless session for champion apprentice Gavin Ryan after three earlier second placings, Star Harbour (4/5 into 8/13) was demoted after crossing the line a short head in front.

Ryan lost his whip inside the last but given slight interference with Star Harbour edging to his left, and the very marginal winning verdict, the result of the steward’s deliberations could have went either way.

Billy Lee rode Barretstown for Conor O’Dwyer who said: “Not a nice way to win obviously but he deserved it too in fairness as he’s done nothing wrong.

“He had to make the running which wouldn’t suit him and he’s a tough little cookie.

“I won’t come back here again, a mile up here is too sharp for him. We’ll give him a little freshen up now and head for the turf for the summer.

“He’s a good honest horse. He’s a syndicate horse. Barretstown the charity in Kildare is the reason he was called Barretstown and they get proceeds out of his winnings so it’s all good.

“A great ladies syndicate have him. They’ll have great fun with him for the summer.”

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Falsaron ridden by M.P. Sheehy, placed fifth, Star Harbour, ridden by G.M. Ryan, placed first and Barretstown, ridden by W.J. Lee, placed second, where it appeared that interference may have occurred.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

M. P. Sheehy stated that he took a precautionary check but he was going backwards anyway.

W. J. Lee stated that he was in a head to head battle but in the last hundred yards the winner was constantly moving to the left and severely intimidated his mount.

G. M. Ryan stated that his horse is a big raw horse who rolled around when he hit the front, he dropped his whip and he did not realise he had drifted off a straight line as much.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Star Harbour had caused interference to Barretstown and in doing so had improved its position in relation to the second horse.

The Stewards therefore reversed the placings of the first and second horses. Furthermore, The Stewards were satisfied that G. M. Ryan was in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered G. M. Ryan's record in this regard the Stewards suspended G. M. Ryan for three racedays.

The amended result now reads

1st: Barretstown

2nd: Star Harbour

3rd: Kadupul 0A4th: Ben Siegel 0A5th: Falsaron.

G.M. Ryan, rider of Star Harbour trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount rolled around when he hit the front.

W.J. Lee, rider of Barretstown trained by Conor O'Dwyer, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got carried left.

(GC & EM)