Permission was given for Connie Wilde (IRE) to wear a red hood in the preliminaries which was removed at the start.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Luduamf (IRE), ridden by Alison Johnson and trained by Michael Chapman which appeared to be tenderly ridden in rear throughout, before being asked for an effort after the final hurdle and staying on to finish eleventh of eighteen, beaten 24¾ lengths.

The rider and the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race.

The Veterinary Officer reported that an initial post-race examination of the gelding during routine testing failed to reveal any abnormalities, but a subsequent examination an hour after the race found the gelding to have a slight overreach left fore and be 2/5ths lame on that same leg.

Being a 7lb claimer the rider was accompanied in the enquiry by the BHA Jockey Coach.

The rider stated her instructions were to jump off in front and hold a handy position over the first few hurdles and ride the race as she found it.

She stated that she was unable to gain a prominent position as the gelding resented being crowded and therefore resorted to holding up the gelding in rear.

She added that the gelding was slightly hampered by a faller at the third hurdle but continued to jump and travel within himself down the back straight, and she felt content to hold on to him for as long as possible as in her opinion Luduamf (IRE) tends to find little off the bridle.

The trainer confirmed these were the instructions given and accepted the riders explanation why she was unable to obtain the desired prominent position, but stated in his opinion Luduamf (IRE) could have finished closer had he been asked for an effort earlier in the home straight.

Johnson was suspended for 10 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race, in that she failed to ask for timely and substantial effort and therefore had not obtained the best possible placing.

Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that Bitasweetsymphony (IRE), placed fifth, and First Assembly (IRE), placed third, both lost their right hind shoes, and that Dalkadam (FR), unplaced, lost its right fore shoe.