Ascot Result

Permission was given for Chalk Stream (GB) to go early to post wearing a red hood and the gelding wore earplugs throughout the race.

An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race after interference approaching the final furlong involving Candleford (IRE), placed second, ridden by Adam Farragher, True Courage (GB), placed third, ridden by Dylan Hogan, Champagne Piaff (FR), placed fourth, ridden by Shane Kelly, and Irish Legend (IRE), placed fifth, ridden by Neil Callan.

The Stewards considered that the interference had not improved Candleford (IRE)’s placing as they could not be satisfied that the colt was the sole contributor to the interference as True Courage (GB) had shifted right-handed at the same time.

This combined with the ground that was lost by both Champagne Piaff (FR) and Irish Legend (IRE) being less than the official distances of ½ length and 1 length at the line resulted in the Stewards ordering the placings to remain unaltered.

Farragher was suspended for 3 days for careless riding as he allowed his mount to drift left-handed without sufficient correction causing Callan to have to take a check for several strides and contributed towards Kelly having to steady Champagne Piaff (FR).

The Stewards considered that True Courage (GB)’s contribution to the interference was accidental as the gelding had shifted right-handed whilst Hogan was in the process of correcting the gelding, tightening Champagne Piaff (FR) for galloping room.

The Clerk of the Scales objected to Candleford (IRE), placed second, ridden by Adam Farragher, and trained by William Haggas, on the grounds of the rider weighing in at 7st 12Ib having weighed out at 8st 3Ib.

Candleford (IRE) was disqualified and the placings were revised as follows: Second: True Courage (GB), Third: Champagne Piaff (FR), Fourth: Irish Legend (IRE).

The rider, the trainer and the Clerk of the Scales were interviewed.

Haggas was fined £1,000 as he had failed to add the weight cloth when saddling Candleford (IRE).

Following the race, Ryan Moore reported that Wahraan (FR), which started favourite and finished sixth, was slow into stride and Dylan Hogan reported that True Courage (GB), placed second, ran too free in the early stages of the race.