Wolverhampton Results Mon, 13th Jan, 2025

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Further Measure (USA), ridden by Warren Fentiman and trained by Mike Murphy, which raced in rear throughout before staying on strongly down the home straight from an unpromising position to finish fourth of seven runners, beaten by 2¼ lengths.

The rider and the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race; the Veterinary Officer reported that two post-race examinations revealed no abnormalities, other than the gelding had lost its left-fore shoe.

The rider stated his instructions were to jump out, sit in the box seat and see how the race developed from there.

Fentiman explained that Further Measure (USA) had missed the kick and he therefore accepted his early position and decided to sit last.

Fentiman indicated that he thought the pace was decent for the first two furlongs before it steadied up leaving the back straight on the first circuit, leaving him further out of his ground than had been intended.

From this point in the race and during the middle stages Fentiman acknowledged that he was aware the pace was slow, but he was reluctant to make a forward move to improve his position for fear of getting trapped wide.

In explaining his riding from leaving the back straight on the final circuit, Fentiman stated that he was again hesitant to switch wide, due to concerns he could end up at least 4 wide around the outside of runners, so committed to ride for luck down the inner in the hope of obtaining a clear passage either between Scylla (GB) and Mr Zippi (GB) on the rail, or to the inside of Mr Zippi (GB) if runners fanned approaching the home bend, which they often do at Wolverhampton, but it failed to materialise on this occasion and he was denied clear running for some distance approaching the two furlong marker.

On straightening for home Fentiman added he managed to switch Further Measure (USA) to the outside, mounting his challenge and the gelding had stayed on very well through to the line.

The trainer confirmed the instructions, however expressed disappointment that even allowing for the fact the gelding wasn’t the quickest into stride, greater effort had not been made by the rider to ensure Further Measure (USA) settled more prominently and was ridden to instructions.

The trainer also indicated that he was dissatisfied with the fact that Fentiman failed to switch wider and improve his position onto the back of the favourite Daaris (IRE) for some distance from approaching the 3 furlong marker until entering the home straight.

Fentiman told the Stewards he was still very inexperienced riding in staying races and only had approximately 50 career rides to his name.

Their explanations were noted.