The performance of beaten 3/1 favourite Vinnes Friend in the Leugh Handicap Hurdle at Thurles on Thursday has been referred to the Turf Club for further investigation.
Ridden by Davy Russell, Vinnes Friend finished sixth of the 10 runners. The mare appeared to hold every chance at the third last flight during Thursday's race before failing to pick up under a hands and heels ride in the straight.
Afterwards Vinnes Friend's trainer Philip Rothwell described the Stewards' decision to refer the matter further as "absolutely ridiculous."
He added "she couldn't handle the ground. I was in two minds whether to run her but it was a small, umcompetitive field and we took a chance. I even told them I was giving her a break after today and bringing her back for a summer campaign."
Vinnes Friend, which landed a substantial morning gamble on Soft ground at Wexford on October 24 2009, having pulled up on her two previous runs, drifted from 15/8 to 3/1 (Betfair SP of 5.1) prior to Thursday's race.
