See also » The-Parishioner-upsets-the-odds-
He surprised me as I didn't think he'd handle the ground and he hadn't been running well. A lot of mine weren't running well and apart from Carlingford Lough I haven't had a winner since September. He'll run on until the ground gets hard. John E Kiely, trainer

The Stewards requested a report from John E. Kiely, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of The Parishioner, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that his stable is now in much better form having been under a cloud for a number of months. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered. L.A. McKenna, rider of Keep On Track, trained by I. R. Ferguson, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount may not have handled the heavy going. A. Ring, rider of Mark Me Up (GB) trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled well.

An extended handicap steeplechase for five yrs old and upwards (116 = 11st 10lb)
Weights - Top weight in the original handicap; shall not be less than 11st 10lb
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase after calculation of the handicap to carry 6lb extra for each such steeplechase won. Any horse rated above 116 shall initially be treated as having that rating and the highest weight allotted shall be 11st 10lb. Subsequently, the excess over 116 in any rating shall be added to the weight allotted to that horse. (For the purpose of this note, any five year old rated above 116 shall have the applicable weight for age allowance then prevailing deducted from the horse's rating prior to the original calculation of the handicap)