Permission was given for Nahham (IRE) to be led early to post and for Evening Spirit (GB) to wear a red hood to the start.

An enquiry was held into the ride on Equidae (GB), ridden by Jamie Gormley, which became quickly detached in the rear and was ridden hands and heels in the home straight to finish unplaced, beaten 14¾ lengths.

Gormley was interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post- race examination of the colt during routine testing failed to reveal any abnormalities.

His intention was to jump handy, however the colt jumped awkwardly from the stalls and lost many lengths as a result, a fact he reported at Scales, and he tried to make up ground gradually throughout the race in order not to use up too much energy by doing so.

He added that having asked Equidae (GB) for an effort rounding the final bend, the colt had no more to give and therefore rode Equidae (GB) hands and heels to the line and felt that he had achieved the best possible placing, under the circumstances, by riding the colt in this way.

His explanation was noted.

The winner, Xtara (IRE), appeared to show an improvement in form compared with its previous run at Kempton on 30 September 2020, where the colt finished twelfth of thirteen, beaten 21¼ lengths.

Christine Dunnett’s representative explained that Xtara (IRE) appreciated a change to more positive tactics and that the yard appeared to be in better form.

Following the race, Josephine Gordon reported that Six Strings (GB), placed third, hung right throughout.