See also » Step up in trip sees Lieutenant Mayne come home clear
He is a very, very nice horse and we always thought he was. He lost his way a bit during the winter. He had a few little issues that we sorted out. He just ground it out at Chepstow and just stayed. It was a small field, but it wasn't a bad race there and all he did was stay. I was confident the three miles today would be up his street. He is really nice and is only a six-year-old. Gordon's horse (Elliott, Ash Tree Meadow) probably has other targets, but he could still only do what he did and he did it very nicely. It's like he is on springs, he is some jumper - he is really exciting. I must say a special thanks to the McNeill and Stone families as they wouldn't be big fans of keeping them in training this long, but I kind of insisted that he'd stay in and at least have one more run. He'll probably have a little break now and we'll probably go chasing with him but we'll see. John C McConnell, trainer

D.J Gilligan, rider of Ash Tree Meadow (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

A hurdle for four years old and upwards that have not won a hurdle race value not more than #10,000 and have not finished first, second or third in a Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 weight-for-age hurdle race
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 7lbs 5-y-o and up 11st Mares allowed 7lbs
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race 5lb extra Of two hurdle races 10lb extra