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Stewards refer Murphy on

The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Cul A Dun trained by Mr John Joseph Murphy, winner compared with the horse's previous few runs.

Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned and from Mr Gary O'Gorman, Senior Turf Club Flat Handicapper who evaluated the apparent improvement in form for the Stewards.

Mr O'Gorman stated that Cul A Dun has ran five times this year, all of which were disappointing runs, and the horse has dropped 15lbs since the start of the year.

Mr Murphy stated that the first number of runs this year were on quick ground and he felt the horse showed a disliking for the fast ground, and that he came back sore after a couple of the runs.

His charge had shown a preference for an ease in the ground in the past and so it was decided then to only run him when there was an ease in the ground.

He said his charge has been ready to run for some time now but he was waiting for some suitable ground, and he declared him for today based on the forecast rain, and the rain came and changed the ground to Soft and any apparent improvement in form was attributable to this fact.

Having considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion Mr John Joseph Murphy was in breach of Rule 213 and in accordance with this Rule, referred the matter onto the Referrals Committee.