An enquiry into the running and riding of Take A Stroll in the opener at Navan, the Santa Claus Maiden Hurdle, found that the racecourse had been used as a training ground and that insufficient effort had been made on the part of the rider, Padraig Roche.
The J P McManus-owned, Christy Roche-trained and Padraig Roche-ridden Take A Stroll was sent off a 25/1 chance for this two miler and he finished eleventh.
In evidence Padraig Roche said that his instructions were to drop in and to ride his mount to come home well as he had been disappointing first time out. He said Take A Stroll's jumping was novicey throughout and that he was badly outpaced before four out. He made a bad mistake two out and found trouble in running from the last.
He concluded by saying that his mount merely stayed on past beaten horses and that he rode him as forcibly as he could under hands and heels.
Frank Berry, representing the owner, said he was satisfied with the horses run. Take A Stroll was found to be post race normal.
The Stewards handed out a 60 day ban to the horse. Padraig Roche was banned from riding for 10 days. Christy Roche was fined €2,000.
Meanwhile they didn't accept Padraig Roche's evidence either as they found it to be demonstrably inconsistent with the video evidence.
