See also » Local winner Balgowlah lands gamble in Downpatrick
Delighted but I feel sorry for Donagh Meyler who got a suspension last week off him - the horse got into a bit of interference coming into the straight (in Navan) and flew home. Donagh got off him and said 'if I ride him again he will win'. Sean (Flanagan) just happened to get the ride on him today and gave him a great ride. He deserved it, he had been consistent here in three or four runs and we knew he would get up the hill. The only worry was what Navan had taken out of him. He's only four and he is a tough, little horse and we bought him cheaply for a syndicate. All is good with him. Course form is a great thing with him. He loved that ground - his next stop could be Ayr on the 28th October or there's a three mile 0-102 in Down Royal at the Festival (in November). With the syndicate I'd say we'd be going for the festival. He stays well and he'd jump a fence some day too. C A McBratney, trainer

D.E. Mullins, rider of Impressive Duke trained by Ronan M.P. McNally, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a noise in running

P.J. Rothwell, trainer of Charlotte Wells, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge was showing signs of being in season

The Stewards interviewed Ronan M.P. McNally, trainer, and D. E. Mullins, rider, concerning the poor performance of Impressive Duke in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who confirmed that he had made a report to the stewards secretary post race stating that his mount made a respiratory noise in running and possibly resented the cross nose band which he had opened when dismounting on pulling up. In his evidence he stated that his mount was lit up in the parade ring and at the start where he had put his head up when making contact with another horse. He added that during the race his mount was never going forward, made a respiratory noise from half way and he felt his mount was more at ease when the cross nose band had been undone before he cantered back to the parade ring. R. P. McNally, trainer, stated that this animal is rough winded at home and was running for him for the first time since acquiring him in August. He added that this animal had previously run with a cross nose band which was applied again today, but he felt that his charge never jumped or travelled, which may have been as a result of the cross nose band being applied too tightly. He confirmed that to the best of his knowledge this animal never had a wind operation. Following the running of this race Impressive Duke, was examined by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer at the request of the Stewards and was found to be post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered

D.E. Mullins, rider of Impressive Duke, trained by Ronan M.P. McNally, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a noise in running and that he felt his mount resented the cross nose band and that he dismounted after the line and opened the nose band as he felt it had been applied too tightly

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Impressive Duke, trained by Ronan M.P

McNally, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Charlotte Wells, trained by P.J. Rothwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be showing signs of being in season post race

Mr C. Abernethy, rider of Drumconnor Girl, trained by J.J.Lambe, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that the buckle on one of his irons had broken and that he pulled up thereafter

R.A. Doyle, rider of Greenandwhitearmy, trained by Neil McKnight, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stepped at the last hurdle and that he lost his irons and then rode to the line without his irons

An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards rated 80-95
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 5lb extra for each hurdle race won.