Ash Tree Meadow and Davy Russell (nearside) come to beat Graccus De Balme (J J Slevin)© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell made the divided Graigs Lane Maiden Hurdle at Navan their own with split two going to the sweet-travelling favourite Ash Tree Meadow
Following on from his stable companion Jaycean thirty five minutes earlier, Ash Tree Meadow (11/8) went well with a hood and a tongue-strap tried for the first time. When asked to go and win his race on the run-in the former Donnchadh Doyle point-to-point victor put five lengths between himself and Gracchus De Balme
Said Elliott afterwards: “He's a nice horse, he's a big chaser really and he's a horse for the future.
“Davy said that while it looked like he didn't jump that well he was travelling so well that he didn't let him wing hurdles because he would have made up too much ground.
“He's a grand horse. He likes that nice ground.”
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Gino Drummer Boy ridden by J.C. Gainford, and trained by Gordon Elliott.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
J.C. Gainford, stated that he was instructed to get his mount settled, get cover and to do his best.
He described his mount as having run very keen the last day before tiring and not getting home.
Today he added that his mount was keen going to the start and as a result was dropped in towards the rear to get him to switch off.
On reviewing the video of the race he explained that his mount had jumped very well, met with some interference at the first hurdle in the straight on the first circuit, got keen and kept being taken back, was hanging out in the straight and was not ridden forcibly as he was minding him with a view to get him to finish his race and benefit from todays run.
On further questioning, the rider admitted that he could possibly have finished a couple of places closer.
Gordon Elliott, stated that he instructed the rider to ride his charge in mid division, get him settled and to do his best as he had tired the last day when ridden handy.
He expressed that he had four runners in this race but on viewing the video he felt that J.C. Gainford was further back in the field of runners than he had wished and that he could have finished closer.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Gino Drummer Boy was post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the trainers explanation.
In relation to the rider, the Stewards were of the opinion that J.C. Gainford was in breach of Rule 212 A (ii) by riding his horse in such a way that the horse cannot be seen to have been the subject of a genuine attempt to obtain from the horse timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place.
Having taken his clean previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended J.C. Gainford for ten racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
Furthermore the Stewards suspended Gino Drummer Boy for forty two racedays in accordance with Rule 212C(d).
E. Walsh, rider of I Must trained by P.Cluskey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made several jumping errors.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Gino Drummer Boy trained by Gordon Elliott was examined at the request of the trainer's representative at 3.15 p.m. and was found to be a bit stiff behind.
(GC & EM)
