See also » Hood helps Heads Up get back on track
Phew! Obviously everything went wrong the last day. The delay didn’t help but the way he behaved delay or no delay he would have blown his chance. The frustrating thing is that he’s a very placid horse at home and is not keen or anything. All his schooling has been in behind but if you get into a row with him, you’ll lose. It’s great to get him back and Danny gave him a lovely ride from the front, he didn’t set him alight too much. I wouldn’t say he’s had an easy race, but he would have enjoyed it and that’s the main thing. We just wanted to get him back on track. Where we go, I don’t know. There will be big decisions to be talked about, but they are nice decisions. He’s in both the Supreme and the Turners. He’s probably a two-and-a-half miler but with his exuberance we decided to come back to two and he obviously settled a lot better. This was a Listed race today so it’s obviously good to get it, in itself. I thought he actually ran remarkably well the last day to last pretty much into the home straight given that he was like a wild animal. It was like he didn’t see his hurdles; he was kicking them out of the way. He was running around and he was keen for whatever reason. Cheltenham is an atmospheric place and for whatever reason he just didn’t handle it. We had the hood on today and it obviously helped. It’s a worry because we’re going to be going to either Cheltenham, Aintree, P John C McConnell, trainer

The Raceday Stewards received a request from S.R.B. Crawford, trainer of Jony R, to substitute the nominated rider D.J. O'Keeffe, with J. J. Slevin, due to J. J. Slevin's intended mount becoming a non runner. Evidence was heard from Ben Crawford, Authorised Representative for the trainer concerned who stated that Mr Slevin rides most of their horses and has ridden this horse previously. He added that his charge is a tricky individual and Mr Slevin knows him best. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards denied the request on this occasion under the provisions of Regulation 3

The Raceday Stewards interviewed J.W. Kennedy, rider of Lazare De Star (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J. W. Kennedy was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g (excessive frequency) and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended J. W. Kennedy for two racedays.

A novice hurdle for four years old and upwards that are EBF eligible and have not won more than two hurdle races (excluding Academy Hurdles and 3-y-o Junior N.H. Hurdles) and have not won a Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 weight for-age hurdle race and have not run under any Rules of Racing as a two or three yr old and have not won a steeplechase
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 7lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 5lbs. Mares allowed 7lbs.
Penalties - Penalties (Academy Hurdles and 3-y-o Junior N.H. Hurdles excluded) - Winner of a hurdle race 4lb extra Of two hurdle races 7lb extra