THE BRUCE HARDWICK THOROUGHBRED PUB IN POLEGATE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS' TRAINING SERIES HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (Racing Excellence Series Finale) An enquiry was held to consider the placings in this race after two separate incidents of interference, both involving the winner, Diplomatic Ash (IRE), ridden by JUDE FERNANDES and Everyonesgame (IRE), placed second, ridden by Chad Bament.

As a 7lb claiming conditional, Fernandes was accompanied in the enquiry by a Jockey Coach.

The first incident, when entering the final bend and the second incident when rounding the final bend.

The Stewards considered that the interference had not improved Diplomatic Ash (IRE)’s placing as considering the momentum lost and where the incident had occurred, on the final behind, approximately 3 furlongs from the winning post, the Stewards could not be satisfied that Everyonesgame (IRE) would have finished ahead of Diplomatic Ash (IRE) with an uninterrupted run to the line and ordered the placings to remain unaltered.

In the first instance, the interference was found to be accidental as Everyonesgame (IRE) had rolled right-handed, when cornering, slightly turning the quarters of Diplomatic Ash (IRE), before further contact between the two runners which caused both horses to lose balance.

In the second incident, Fernandes was suspended for 3 days for careless riding as he failed to leave sufficient room on his inside which resulted in Everyonesgame (IRE) to become short for room against the rail, causing its rider to have to steady as a result.