Wolverhampton Result

An enquiry was held to establish the reason why the stalls failed to open at the first attempt, which subsequently necessitated the race being started manually.

The Starter, Clerk of the Course and Racecourse Executive were interviewed.

Having heard their evidence and following an investigation into the matter, the Stewards noted their explanation that a faulty power lead had been identified as the cause of the issue, which was rectified and that the stalls were in full working order for the remaining four races.

Leaving the stalls, Dr Foster (GB), placed second, jumped right-handed giving a significant bump to the winner, Sennockian (IRE), but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.

An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race after several incidents of interference in the home straight, involving Dr Foster (GB), placed second, ridden by Oisin Murphy and the winner, Sennockian (IRE), ridden by Joe Fanning.

The Stewards viewed all recordings of the incidents and heard evidence from Murphy and an employee of Charlie Johnston, who represented the trainer’s interests as Fanning had been unavailable due to receiving medical treatment.

After which, it was established that for incident one approximately 1½ furlongs out Sennockian (IRE) had hung left-handed off the bend bumping Dr Foster (GB) and unbalancing that runner.

In incident two just after the 1 furlong marker, there had been light contact between Dr Foster (GB) and Sennockian (IRE) unbalancing both runners with equal contributions having shifted slightly left and right respectively.

In incident three, over the concluding stages, it was deemed that Dr Foster (GB) had drifted right-handed under a left-handed drive resulting in it making contact with Sennockian (IRE), which became unbalanced after having its quarters turned.

In incident four, approaching the line, it was found that Dr Foster (GB) continued to edge right-handed under a left-handed drive giving a significant bump to Sennockian (IRE), which badly unbalanced that runner and led to Fanning being unseated after the line.

The Stewards, taking into account the incidents that Sennockian (IRE) had been responsible for either causing or contributing to, ruled that they had not improved that gelding’s placing and ordered the placings to remain unaltered.

Incident one was found to be accidental as Sennockian (IRE) had hung left-handed despite Fanning’s best efforts to straighten his mount.

Incident two was also found to be accidental as both runners had only moved marginally off their intended racing lines.

In relation to incidents three and four, Murphy was suspended for 9 days for careless riding as he had allowed his mount to drift approximately 2 horse widths right-handed away from the whip causing interference to Sennockian (IRE) before then using the whip again in the left hand whereupon his mount shifted further right-handed causing interference to Sennockian (IRE), with Fanning being unseated after the line.

The Clerk of Scales reported that Joe Fanning, the rider of the winner, Sennockian (IRE), had been unable to weigh in owing to being unseated after the line and being assessed by the Doctor.

The Stewards were satisfied that the correct weight had been carried throughout the race and confirmed the placing of Sennockian (IRE).