An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Lyrical Ballad (IRE), ridden by Shane Quinlan and trained by Neil Mulholland, which pulled hard for most of the race before staying on under apparent tender handling after jumping the second last hurdle to finish fourth of eleven runners, beaten by 13¾ lengths and ¾ of a length behind Grey Spirit (IRE), placed third.

The rider and the trainer’s representative were interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the filly during routine testing failed to reveal any abnormalities.

The rider stated his instructions had been to gain cover and settle Lyrical Ballad (IRE) in mid to rear of the field in an effort to get the filly to relax as she had been racing keenly on previous occasions and was not seeing out her races as a result.

He added that although Lyrical Ballad (IRE) failed to settle on this occasion, she had travelled and jumped well throughout and after jumping the second last hurdle, he maintained that the filly had only stayed on one-paced to the line, passing beaten horses to in his opinion achieve the best possible placing.

The trainer’s representative confirmed the instructions, however did express some reservations regarding how the horse had been ridden after the second last hurdle.

Quinlan was suspended for 16 days after failing to ride his mount in such a way that he could be seen to ask for timely, real and substantial effort in the home straight to obtain the best possible placing.

Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that Empty Quarter (GB), unplaced, was found to be lame on its left-hind.