Wolverhampton Result

Permission was given for Rebel Path (FR) to be mounted in the chute.

An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Al Muqdad (GB) ridden by Mark Winn and trained by David O’Meara, which was restrained leaving the stalls and settled at the rear of the field where it travelled strongly before appearing to be very tenderly handled in the home straight until the final strides, to finish fourth beaten by 2 lengths.

Winn and O’Meara’s representative were interviewed and shown recordings of the race and evidence was also taken from Mr O’Meara via telephone.

The Veterinary Officer performed two post-race examinations of Al Muqdad (GB), which was selected for routine testing, and had nothing to report.

Winn stated that his instructions were to drop the gelding out early to help ensure he settled as Al Muqdad (GB) has been very keen on the gallops at home and to hunt away and keep it simple.

Winn explained that he was satisfied with his early pitch down the inner at the rear of the field and the gelding had switched off with cover chasing an even pace.

Winn indicated that approaching the home turn he had been squeezing Al Muqdad (GB) along with his legs and when the leaders fanned very wide on straightening he obtained clear running.

From this point Winn considered that Al Muqdad (GB) had every opportunity to obtain its best possible placing as the gelding was giving maximum effort under his hands and heels riding and he did not feel it prudent to resort to the whip at any point.

O’Meara’s representative confirmed the instructions and that the ride had accorded with them through the first half of the race, however O’Meara himself expressed dissatisfaction with the ride given by Winn, explaining that he believed Al Muqdad (GB) could and should have been ridden more vigorously in the home straight.

Winn was suspended for 18 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that Al Muqdad (GB) was given full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing, in that he had failed to demonstrate any sustained period of timely, real and substantial effort at a crucial stage of the race, when there was always clear opportunity for him to do so.

Following the race, James Sullivan reported that Captain Bentley (GB), unplaced, hung right-handed in the home straight.