See also » Commander too good for odds-on Cuba
I just said to him to ride him handy and be positive,. I was concerned that he might not get two miles but if he was ever going to get it he was going to get it around here. He did it well. He said he jumped, travelled and picked up well. He seems to be happiest in front and he'll pick up a bit for you. That was good, I knew he'd like the ground anyway and he said he never missed a beat jumping on that ground. The handicapper can't be too hard on us after that. His owner (Sean Gallagher) isn't well. He has a lot of horses in training but he's not able to get around the way he used to. Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, trainer

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Witness Cant State (FR), ridden by B. Browne, and trained by Martin Brassil. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. B. Browne stated that his instructions were to jump off handy and to slot into the best possible position. He was satisfied with how the race went for him, he jumped off in a good position, his mount made a mistake early on however recovered well. B. Browne stated that he pushed for home going into the second last hurdle, however his mount couldn't go with other horses. He felt that was going backwards in the closing stages despite riding at his strongest without using his whip. In his opinion his mount might prefer easier ground. Martin Brassil confirmed the instructions given to B. Browne and stated that he was satisfied with how his charge ran today considering he wasn't certain about running him on today's ground and that he was off the track since last year. Mr Brassil also stated that it was the first time that B. Browne had ridden for him and that He wasn't familiar with his riding style. In his opinion, he felt that perhaps he could have ridden with more hands and heels from the third last hurdle. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Witness Cant State was post race normal

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanation offered by Martin Brassil but were of the opinion that B. Browne was in breach of Rule 212 A (ii), in that he was not seen to make a genuine attempt to make a timely, real and substantial effort to achieve his best possible place. Having considered his previous record in this regard, the Stewards suspended B. Browne for 7 racedays and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee

T. Ryan, rider of Class Pa trained by Ms. M.M. Gannon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action after the line.

A hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 4-y-o 11st 5lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Allowances - Horses that have not won a *race If 4-y-o allowed 5lb If 5-y-o and up allowed 8lb *Including flat races under any National Hunt Rules or Rules of Racing
Riders - Confined to Professional under I.N.H.S. Rules who have not lost the right to claim the allowance under Rule 52 (iii). Allowances (which are not cumulative, up to and including 30th May) who have not ridden the winners of 25 **races allowed 4lb Those who have not ridden the winners of 40 **races allowed 2lb No allowance to riders under Rule 52 (iii) may be claimed.