Bungle Bay (IRE), trained by James Evans, and Charlatan (IRE), trained by David Simcock, did not enter the Parade Ring due to the jockeys weighing out late as a result of riding in the previous race, which was late off.

Leaving the stalls, Smasher (IRE), unplaced, jumped left-handed at the same time as Candy Warhol (USA), unplaced, jumped right-handed, resulting in PENNY’S SPIRIT (IRE), placed third, and Ya Rayah (GB), unplaced, being hampered when tight for room, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.

Callum Shepherd, the rider of Charlatan (IRE), unplaced, trained by David Simcock, was questioned regarding his riding of the gelding over the final 2 furlongs after reporting at scales that he had been denied a clear run in the home straight.

Shepherd was questioned specifically as to why he had appeared not to make greater effort to improve his position and obtain a run that existed between Ya Rayah (GB) and The Cola Kid (GB) for some distance approaching the final furlong.

In explaining his riding Shepherd indicated that due to his positioning down the inner at the rear of the field, he had made the decision from leaving the back straight to ride for luck and search for inside runs, rather than potentially be forced extremely wide when mounting his challenge.

Shepherd continued by saying that he wanted to be certain that the run which presented itself shortly after straightening for home remained open as he was conscious that Candy Warhol (USA) in front of him had set a solid pace and was giving ground, whilst The Cola Kid (GB) was also under pressure to his outside and its rider had the whip in his right-hand.

For this reason he had been reluctant to fully commit Charlatan into a gap, which in all likelihood would close, however he was nudging the gelding along and keeping the revs up at the same time, before as he had anticipated passing the 1 furlong marker Charlatan (IRE) was denied a clear run between The Cola Kid (GB) which edged left-handed and a weakening Candy Warhol (USA) which lugged slightly right- handed and he ultimately had to check off the heels of Candy Warhol.

Shepherd added that there were two factors behind his thinking in not committing for what he considered to be a low percentage gap, firstly that Charlatan (IRE) was dropping back in trip and is not known for having a turn of acceleration and secondly that he had suffered a very heavy fall on the all-weather in October 2024 and considered that by putting the gelding into a narrowing gap, which it would not have the pace to necessarily quicken through before it closed would present a heightened opportunity for him to suffer serious interference.