There were successes at all three St Stephen’s Day venues for Gordon Elliott, with Lucky Lyreen doing the needful for Cullentra House up north. He took Down Royal’s finale, the McMahon McKay M&A (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race in the hands of Jamie Codd.

Only a nose split Lucky Lyreen and runner-up, Littlefoot (bumped and short of room inside the final furlong), and the result was confirmed after a steward’s enquiry. Ludus and Gerri Colombe (Grade One scorer) won at Limerick for Elliott, and Pour Les Filles landed the bumper for him at Leopardstown.

Lucky Lyreen hadn’t been seen since May, and was returning to Down Royal after a debut fourth placing here 238 days back when failing to justify favouritism.

Mr B.G. Crawford, rider of Boldog (FR) trained by S.R.B. Crawford, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran free during this race.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the two hundred yard marker involving Faulty (GB), ridden by Mr Pat Taaffe, placed third, Littlefoot, ridden by L.A. McKenna, placed second, and Lucky Lyreen, ridden by Mr J.J. Codd, placed first , where it appeared that Faulty (GB) tightened Lucky Lyreen who in turn tightened Littlefoot which was racing close to the running rail. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, L.A. McKenna stated that both horses came in on his mount causing him to lose momentum. Mr J.J. Codd stated that he was on the quarters of Faulty (GB) when he edged onto his own mount which lost momentum and went in on Littlefoot. Mr Pat Taaffe stated that his mount had edged left but he took corrective action when hearing a shout from Mr J.J. Codd. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings. They did, however, consider that Mr Pat Taaffe was in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Raceday Stewards suspended Mr Pat Taaffe for one raceday .

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final one hundred and fifty yards involving Littlefoot, ridden by L.A. McKenna, placed second, and Lucky Lyreen, ridden by Mr J.J. Codd, placed first, where it appeared that both horses raced close together with contact being made. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, L.A. McKenna stated that his mount was beginning to rally when receiving continuous contact and losing momentum. He did admit that he did not have to stop riding. Mr J.J. Codd stated that these two horses were involved in a very tight finish but neither rider had stopped riding and in the last few strides, Littlefoot had started to edge outwards. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings and took no further action.

(MG & EM)