THE SUPPORT THE STOKE CITY FOUNDATION 'NATIONAL HUNT' MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (DIV II) (GBB RACE) An enquiry was held into the running and riding of Annual Invitation (IRE), ridden by Jack Tudor and trained by Christian Williams which was held up off the back of the field until after jumping the third last hurdle, when the gelding was asked for an effort under tender handling, passing two horses to finish fifth of seven, beaten 24 ¼ lengths.

The rider and the representative of the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race and the trainer was interviewed via telephone.

The Veterinary Officer examined Annual Invitation (IRE) post-race on two occasions and had nothing to report.

The rider stated that the gelding is a very keen going sort who is difficult to ride at home.

He continued that on his previous two runs he had failed to see out the races and that his focus here was on getting Annual Invitation (IRE) settled and jumping, with the aim of finishing well.

Tudor stated that the gelding went keenly to post and in the early stages of the race, before beginning to drop the bridle after having turned into the back straight.

He reported that he became slightly unbalanced coming down into the dip towards the end of the back straight.

Having turned into the home straight, the rider continued by stating that he began to ask for an effort after the third last, and that Annual Invitation (IRE) ran on to finish in what was in his opinion the best possible placing.

The Stewards questioned Tudor whilst focusing on his riding after the third last hurdle, where the rider appeared to have a strong hold of the gelding’s head, especially when as he went down into the saddle when his pull on the reins appeared to tighten.

The rider reported that this was because he felt he was becoming short of room, and as a result of the gelding hanging slightly.

When questioned on if he was actually short of room, Tudor stated that it had felt that way in the race.

The trainer’s representative stated that he was not aware of the instructions and the rider reported that he had received these directly from the trainer.

As a result of this, Williams was interviewed over the telephone, confirming both the instructions and the focus on getting Annual Invitation (IRE) to finish the race strongly.

Tudor was suspended for 14 days and Williams was fined £3000 for schooling and conditioning the horse on the racecourse in that on what was the gelding’s third run over hurdles, the instructions given were focused on getting the gelding to finish the race, and whilst Annual Invitation (IRE) raced keenly in the very early stages, he had quickly settled.

Further to this, Tudor’s riding from after the third last and his explanation for it were not corroborated by the video evidence, and instead appeared to run counter to both the trainer and rider’s explanation of focusing on getting the gelding to finish strongly.

Annual Invitation (IRE) was suspended from running in any race for 40 days.

Williams was also fined £290 for failing to inform his representative of the rider’s instructions.